To paraphrase Jean-Paul Sartre, 'Chelm is other people'. Chelmites are not like us: they are fools, idiots, inhabiting a world of their own with its own crazy logic. Chelm is a real town in western Poland that suffered terribly in the WWII, but this evening it is the crazy, upside down version of Chelm that we shall be visiting. Perhaps we may even learn something from these poor, benighted citizens who, on closer inspection, bear a striking resemblance to ourselves.
There will be "some nice tunes, splendidly corny lyrics, splendid (as well as intentionally awful) dancing, a good smattering of Yiddish and plenty of tragi-comedy to keep the audience entranced throughout." You will be "transferred to a place where you genuinely believed that no-one had a clue" (from a review by Professor Tony Kushner of Southampton University).

This highly acclaimed production, inspired by Eastern European Jewish folk tales, was written by Stuart Olesker, Lecturer in Drama and Performing Arts at the University of Portsmouth, and first performed there in June 2009. Its cast consists of 15 University students and Stuart's 14 year old son, Huw, who is the Narrator and ukulele player.
Book: Stuart Olesker and Tony Gee. Lyrics: Stuart Olesker. Musical arrangements: Polina Shepherd. Musical Director:Jess Dancy. Director: John Stanton. Rabbi Puppet: Anna Potten