The Wanderers
No performances this weekend
See next weekend's performancesThings to Know Before You Go
What is The Wanderers about?
The Wanderers follows two Jewish couples living in very different worlds. In the present day, Abe and Sophie are secular writers in Brooklyn whose marriage is tested by ambition, doubt and a risky online connection. Forty years earlier, Esther and Schmuli enter an arranged marriage within a strict Orthodox community. As their stories gradually intersect, the play explores how love, belief and family expectations shape the paths we take.
Do I need to be familiar with Jewish culture to enjoy The Wanderers?
Not at all. While Jewish faith and tradition are important parts of the story, the questions the play raises—about marriage, identity, loyalty and freedom—are universal. The writing guides you gently through any unfamiliar customs, so you can follow the emotional journey even if you have no prior knowledge of the culture.
Is The Wanderers a heavy or depressing play?
The Wanderers tackles serious themes, including doubt, betrayal and the cost of breaking away from tradition, but it is not unrelentingly bleak. The dialogue is often witty and sharp, and there are moments of warmth and quiet hope. The result is a nuanced, human portrait rather than a gloomy morality tale.
What sort of audience is The Wanderers best suited to?
This production will particularly appeal to theatregoers who enjoy intimate, character-driven drama. If you like plays that unfold through conversation, shifting perspectives and moral ambiguity rather than big plot twists or spectacle, The Wanderers is likely to resonate. It is a strong choice for adult audiences, couples and small groups of friends who enjoy discussing a show afterwards.
Is there a dress code at Marylebone Theatre?
There is no formal dress code. Most audience members choose smart-casual clothing that feels comfortable for an evening in central London. You are welcome to dress up for a special occasion or arrive in more relaxed attire if you are coming straight from work or a day in the city.
How intimate is the experience at Marylebone Theatre?
Marylebone Theatre is a relatively small, modern venue with a strong emphasis on comfort and clear sightlines. The size of the auditorium means you are always close to the performers, which suits a subtle, emotionally layered play like The Wanderers particularly well. The experience feels personal and immediate, more like eavesdropping on private lives than watching a distant spectacle.
About this show
Two marriages, two eras and one tangled legacy lie at the centre of The Wanderers, a critically acclaimed drama now making its UK debut at the Marylebone Theatre. In present-day Brooklyn, celebrated novelist Abe prides himself on his sharp mind and open disdain for religion. His wife Sophie, also a writer, struggles with a stalled career and a mixed Black and Jewish identity that does not fit neatly into anyone’s expectations. When Abe begins an email exchange with a famous film star, what starts as a flirtation soon exposes the cracks in their marriage and his carefully controlled life. Decades earlier, in a strictly Orthodox community, Esther and Schmuli embark on an arranged marriage after a single meeting. As Esther quietly pushes against the boundaries of her world, their choices reverberate far beyond their small flat and modest routines. As the two stories gradually weave together, The Wanderers asks what we owe to our faith, our families and ourselves—and whether we can ever truly leave our past behind. Intimate, witty and quietly devastating, this is a play for anyone who has wondered how different their life might have been.
Other plays this weekend
The Mousetrap
Othello
