JR's Arts Editor Judi Herman presents her series of podcasts, featuring interviews with leading playwrights, actors and other creatives, as well as guided audio tours of the latest exhibitions with a Jewish cultural interest.
American playwright Ken Ludwig presents the stage adaptation of his parents’ true love story; a couple who met through correspondence during World War II after being set up as pen pals. Inspired by Ludwig’s Jewish faith and heritage, Dear Jack, Dear Louise follows military doctor and US Army captain Jack and aspiring actor and dancer Louise, who exchanged hundreds of letters. The play, which is currently premiering at the Arcola Theatre in London, shows the power of words even in the darkest chapters of history. Here, he shares more behind the play – and his deep love of Shakespeare – with JR's arts and podcast editor Judi Herman.
We also hear from the executive director of The Ken Ludwig Company, Ashley Polasek.
26 Feb 2026
In conversation: Cat Goscovitch
This week marks four years since Russian troops were ordered by President Vladimir Putin to march into Ukraine and carry out his "special operation": the invasion of the country's close neighbour. It is poignant timing then, for the premiere of not one, but five plays under the powerful title Ukraine Unbroken: A Nation’s Fight for Freedom. Conceived by Nicolas Kent (co-director of The Great Game: Afghanistan), it charts 12 turbulent years of modern Ukrainian history, from the 2014 Maidan protests to Russia’s full-scale 2022 invasion. The plays, which are performed with live music by Mariia Petrovska on the bandura (a Ukrainian string instrument), feature:
Always by Jonathan Myerson, documenting a married couple’s experience of the violent Maidan protests;
Five Day War by David Edgar, portraying Russia’s 2022 invasion;
Three Mates by Natalka Vorozhbit and translated by Sasha Dugdale, looking at the different choices a group of friends makes during the war;
Wretched Things by David Greig, which is set on the front line and follows the moral dilemma Ukrainian soldiers face after capturing a wounded North Korean fighter;
Taken by Cat Goscovitch, about a mother’s search for her stolen daughter, inspired by the real abduction of thousands of Ukrainian children.
To learn more, we spoke to Goskovitch, who is the daughter of acclaimed Jewish playwright CP Taylor. She talks about discovering Ukraine, Russian disinformation and her ramshackle upbringing.
27 Nov 2025
In conversation: Rosie Yadid
Following two hugely successful years of Jewish panto at JW3, playwright Nick Cassenbaum returns for a third act. This time the fairytale of Cinderella gets the potty panto treatment, with more infectious music, madcap constumes and mischievous antics. Ahead of opening night on Sunday 7 December, we spoke to one half of this year's mean sister duo, Fleishig & Milchig (Yiddish for Meat & Dairy). Hit play below to hear New York performer Rosie Yadid (Milchig) discuss the crossover between seder and panto, smashing archetypes and "80s realness". And listen out too for the voice of producer Becky Plotnek.
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