The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk is first and foremost a touching love story, making the real life stories of Marc Chagall and his wife Bella all the more engrossing to watch.

Though the threat of Jewish persecution, and the traumatic current underlying the refugee experience hanging over the couple’s lives like a heavy curtain, the play strikes the perfect balance between slapstick, witty comedy and poignant drama.

The narrative absorbs us immediately from their first meeting, to their struggles throughout WW1, the Russian Revolution and the beginnings of the Holocaust, to Marc’s time in Paris and his battle for recognition, the birth of their daughter Ida, their escape to America in 1941 and on.

Reminiscent of Buster Keaton, Marc Antolin plays Marc Chagall – famed for his surrealist paintings. Daisy Maywood had an air of Carey Mulligan about her, and was simply stunning as Bella. Both are clearly consummate professionals; their elegant faces chalky white as they express so vividly two points of view of the same world; Bella’s talent being sadly overshadowed as Marc was lauded – she his muse for life.

This visually expressive piece required skilled acrobatic choreography from the duo. Their lithe movements, including vigorous Yiddish dancing was made difficult given the heavily slanted set.

The script was flowingly poetic, supported by moving live music with emotive songs sung in Yiddish, Russian and French, and backing vocals by Ian Ross and James Gow. Both Daisy and Marc’s singing is striking, blended together in crystal clarity.

The costume and intricate set design should be applauded too.

I didn’t miss the lack of interval either – at 90 minutes long this faultless show flew by.

The cast bowed to rapturous applause and cheers which continued well after they left the stage, Chagall’s tale bringing many to tears, and successfully managed to keep any students off their phones.

Emma Rice’s touching direction feels fresh and unique, despite the age of the story, and still deeply resonates.

It’s on until Saturday at Oxford Playhouse (oxfordplayhouse.com).

Prepare to be captivated. 5/5

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