CAST
The Casts
Jack is a G.P. who has been writing and performing comedy for over 30 years. He has created The Booba, the Jewish grandmother who has delighted Melbourne and Sydney audiences over the years with her outspoken views on life and her family. In recent years Jack has created a new character, The Zaida, - the Jewish grandfather which he has performed in both the first and second of his plays, Laugh Till You Cry and Don’t Teach Me – I’m Perfect! Zaida Velvel is, like Mania, a Holocaust survivor and like the Booba, his character is based on personal experiences, family, friends and patients. Born Guilty is Jack’s third play.
Allen is a chartered accountant in "real life" and is a veteran performer of comedy. He has often utilised humour as an outlet for his experiences in dealing with the "ups and downs" of growing up in a Holocaust survivor household. He believes that the previous two plays - Laugh Till You Cry and Don’t Teach Me – I’m Perfect! - mirror various experiences of many children of survivors. Allen has been a committee member of the Descendants of the Shoah for over 15 years and is committed to its ideals, especially in teaching tolerance and fighting racism as well as perpetuating the memory of the Holocaust and the lessons of it for mankind. Allen is also on the Board of Management of the Melbourne Jewish Holocaust Centre as well as being a trustee of the Jewish Holocaust Centre Foundation.
Lena has worked as a professional actress for over 30 years in film, TV & theatre. She was a founding member of the highly successful comedy cabaret group The Hot Bagels which appeared throughout Australia and the US in cabarets and on TV. Like Allen & Jack, she has been a committee member of Descendants of the Shoah for over 15 years and is a staff member at the Melbourne Jewish Holocaust Centre. Lena has had the joy of working together with Jack Felman and Allen Brostek on both of Jack’s plays: Laugh Till You Cry and Don’t Teach Me – I’m Perfect! and now looks forward to more laughter and tears with Velvel, Mania and Allen in his new play Born Guilty.