this is what we sang

Written By: Gavin Kostick
Directed By: Paula McFetridge
Production Premiere: 21st October 2009

Inspired by oral archive, an original story of love and atonement staged in the Belfast Synagogue.

‘Can your heart be broken by someone you do not love?’

This searing new play by Gavin Kostick sees four members of a family, whose ages span the 20th century gather at Yom Kippur to welcome one of their number home.

Using the story of the Belfast Jewish Community as its inspiration, This Is What We Sang tells the story of a community’s settlement and expansion, with universal themes of loss, love and sin.

As they relate the tales of their lives, their secrets and sins, they tell the story of Belfast, the city they made home.

Winner ‘Best Production’ 1st Irish Festival NYC

Nominated ‘Best Director’ 1st Irish Festival NYC

Published by Lagan Press

superb actors...a smash hit!

Irish Times
…the superlative dramatic power of This is What We Sang hogged the limelight across all the major festivals. Out of site, you might say

Culture Northern Ireland
In the hands of these fours superb actors, under Paula McFetridge’s gentle direction, the skeletons come tumbling out of the closet with pin-sharp timing and articulation, their stories and emotions ricocheting around the prayer-soaked walls of this atmospheric building

Jane Coyle
There's no question that the site-specificity adds a layer of resonance, a connection to the characters' faith and community that might not otherwise be so easily felt. But I'm not sure it matters—in the end, the play is mostly about family, how it can destroy, deform, and, just occasionally, heal…

Laura Novak - NYTheatre.com
…a remarkable piece of theatre…

Alf McCreary - Belfast Telegraph
…a shining piece of work…richly imagined…strong and evocative…rich and true and universal…

– Daniel Anderson, The Vacuum
…haunting…

– Grania McFadden, Belfast Telegraph
…shouldn’t be missed…

– Lisa Keogh, Newsletter
…a touching portrayal of the history of Belfast’s Jewish community…

– Maeve O’Lynn, Culture NI
one of the big hit’s of the festival…

– Graeme Farrow
effectively combines family drama with social history as it tells a story that spans the 20th century.

New Jersey Jewish Standard