←Recommendations of Feast & Famine

Jewish Plays Project would like to acknowledge that FEAST & FAMINE received Commended status for our first Ten Minute Play Contest OOF: On One Foot, which searched nationally for plays from artists of all backgrounds responding to our prompt on healing & repair. Our Artist Panel readers appreciated the craft, style, and creativity, as well as how it theatrically expressed the first annual contest theme of healing & repair.

John Mabey, with "Feast & Famine", has crafted a sacred song of fire and light. The characters speak the lines like verses from a hymn. Like the biblical book of Ruth, it is emotionally devestating, yet life affirming. I believe that this is the 3rd work I've read by John Mabey. I look forward to reading more! Kudos!

The poetry and lyricism here is just spectacular as Mabey takes the old tale and finds new meaning in it, in terms of the importance of relationships and connections, particularly with women. The characters establish themselves effectively and then everything builds to an appropriate crescendo as two become one. We're left with a very impactful version of this story indeed. Wonderful.

John Mabey weaves a magnificent poem of a play in Feast & Famine, a theatrical and moving retelling of the Book of Ruth. We understand the kinship between these women intimately, even though they speak precious few words directly to each other. I love how Mabey uses techniques of performance poetry to reveal how of one mind and heart Ruth and Naomi are, even while they struggle to articulate this to each other until the play’s powerful ending. Excellent.

An absolutely lovely retelling of the story of the Book of Ruth. John Mabey combines both the physical elements of the staging and his lyrical dialogue to bring a great feeling of understanding and hope for these two women. Stunning!

A beautifully constructed and told version of the story of Naomi and Ruth. John Mabey writes in an innately poetical style and creates a play of depth with carefully crafted characterisation. An unusual, tender and inspiring play.