SURFING THE HOLYLAND Comes to Brighton in June

Inspired by an incredible true story, Surfing the Holyland returns to the stage once more for Brighton Fringe 2023. Drawing on the universal experience of the outsider and the unique perspective of the Jewish convert, writer and performer Erin Hunter's (Newsrevue, Canal Café Theatre; After the Tempest, Teatro Vivo) Popcorn/BBC New Writing Award-nominated Surfing the Holyland offers audiences a rare glimpse into Israeli culture and daily life.

Heather is bored of her job, bored of Ohio, and bored of fertility problems, so when her husband Zach lands a new job in Tel Aviv, Heather is happy to swap home for the Holyland. There, immigrant life slaps Heather with acute culture shock, a rejected work visa and a husband who discovers God. But Heather is determined to have her own adventure. When she impulsively books a surf lesson with a painfully sexy teacher, everything changes. Surfing helps Heather cope with the Israeli 'balagan', finding a wall of water all while her husband Zach finds 'The Wailing Wall'.

A classic fish-out-of-water tale with sharp observational comedy, electrifying storytelling, and bold physicality, Surfing the Holyland playfully blurs the boundaries between comedy, musical and drama all whilst exploring the immigrant experience, female empowerment, and rebirth. Directed by Adam Lenson (Public Domain, Southwark Playhouse, Vaudeville Theatre; Stages, Vault Festival), with twelve colourful characters played at breakneck pace, four comedy ukulele anthems and one surfboard, Hunter's solo show packs some chutzpah! Think Bridget Jones on a surfboard in the scorching Middle East...