Jabez Wolffe; Channel swimmer, variety artist and international sporting hero received obituaries in papers as important as the New York Times, The Jewish Chronicle and the Dundee Courier. For more than 30 years his achievements were celebrated across the world but following his death in 1943 he was soon forgotten. We bring Jabez to life once more and give him his rightful place in the Scottish Sporting Hall of Fame, so come and watch someone grease a mannequin, play the guitar badly and get soaked. Read more …
This show may not be perfect, but it never fails to be insightful, warm-hearted and humane – well worth a dip.
It’s the unassuming homeliness of Channeling Jabez that makes it enjoyable – that and its litany of nearly successful record-breaking attempts that keep the audience cheering him on to the finishing line.
Croft performs a sincere and loving tribute to a man of remarkable tenacity but despite his warmth, Channelling Jabez is no more than a mildly entertaining lecture thinly disguised as a play that could have splashed out a bit more.
A charmingly inconsequential story that is cleverly staged and strangely attractive.
Croft does right to reintroduce him to the world, but he could have done so more generously.
A Play, a Pie and a Pint, Glasgow from Monday April 3, 2017, until Saturday April 8, 2017. More info: http://playpiepint.com
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh from Tuesday April 11, 2017, until Saturday April 15, 2017. More info: www.traverse.co.uk