Mar-01 9:00pm Radio National: The Magician of Lublin Part 2
The Magician of Lubin tells the story of Yasha Mazur. He’s a Houdini-like performer whose skill has made him famous throughout eastern Poland.
In his mind though he believes he should be world famous. Half Jewish, half Gentile, a freethinker who slips easily between worlds, Yasha has an observant Jewish wife, a Gentile assistant who travels with him, and a mistress in every town. For years he’s lived this way but his exploits are catching up with him. He’s almost convinced himself to escape – not just his wife but his homeland and his Jewish faith. Could he really move to Italy and convert to Catholicism?
This radio adaptation of the novel was devised and written by Sydney based singer/performer Nadya Golski. Nadya’s passion for Eastern European and Gypsy music and love of Isaac Bashever Singer’s lyrical text combines to bring to the radio a very special musical drama.
The play is narrated by John Waters who’ll lead you, the listener, by the hand into the world of 19th century Poland and Yasha’s balancing act of an existence.
Along for the ride are musicians Anatoli Torchinski, Mirsad Giga Jeleskovic, Daniel Weltlinger, Rafal Dabrowski, John Maddox, Steve Lalor with Nadya Golski on vocals.
In the cast: John Waters, Lech Mackiewicz, Gosia Dobrowolska, Malina Mackiewicz, Nicole Shostak, Alice Parkinson, Anna Volska, Sabrina Lipovic and Pawel Bochenek.
