Yentl the Yeshiva Boy
In the series that takes a look at books, plays and stories and how they work, John Yorke examines Isaac Bashevis Singer's celebrated short story, Yentl The Yeshiva Boy.
John Yorke explores the themes and impact of Isaac Bashevis Singer’s short story Yentl. Written in the 1950s but set in the orthodox Jewish community of late nineteenth century Poland, the story was made into a successful Hollywood film starring Barbara Streisand.
Yentl, a young orthodox woman, rebels against the constraints of a woman’s life and disguises herself as a young man in order to be able to study at a Yeshiva, or religious college. In describing the complications and misunderstandings that ensue Singer offers insights into religious, social and gender politics not only of the late nineteenth century but of his own, and our, times.
John Yorke has worked in television and radio for nearly 30 years, and shares his experience with Radio 4 listeners as he unpacks the themes and impact of the books, plays and stories that are being dramatized in ±«Óãtv Radio 4’s Sunday/Saturday Drama series.
From EastEnders to the Archers, Life on Mars to Shameless, he has been obsessed with telling big popular stories. He has spent years analysing not just how stories work but why they resonate with audiences around the globe and has brought together his experience in his bestselling book Into the Woods. As former Head of Channel Four Drama, Controller of ±«Óãtv Drama Production and MD of Company Pictures, John has tested his theories during an extensive production career working on some of the world’s most lucrative, widely viewed and critically acclaimed TV drama. As founder of the hugely successful ±«Óãtv Writers Academy John has trained a generation of screenwriters (his students have had 17 green-lights in the last two years alone).
Contributors:
Kerry Shale, actor, broadcaster and writer
Evelyn Torton Beck, translator of Singer’s work
Rebecca Abrams, author, teacher and critic
Clip from film:
From Isaac Bashevis Singer’s Nightmare and Mrs Pupko’s Beard, directed by Bruce Davidson for ±«Óãtv Arena, 1973
Produced by Penny Boreham
Executive Producer: Sara Davies
Sound by Sean Kerwin
A Pier production for ±«Óãtv Radio 4
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Broadcast
- Sun 12 Feb 2023 14:45±«Óãtv Radio 4
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Opening Lines
John Yorke unpacks the themes behind the stories in Radio 4's weekend afternoon dramas.
