From the despair of aninut, even in a short shiva, the ice inside you is thawing, Mordecai, it will open you to the world if you let it. After, shloshim. After a year, yizkor, yarhrzeit. And yes, sorrow, but also hope, hope in those who'll welcome you, love you. Let them love you. Don't neglect God now that you need him.
In Judaism you have seven days to mourban a loved one, unless interrupted by a high holy day. Sadie died yesterday, Yom Kippur is tomorrow, so Mordecai only has tonight to say goodbye to his wife. Exploring themes of identity, love and faith, Shiver is a comic play about grief and Judaism.
With moments of farce, as well as a touch of the surreal, this is a skilfully written play that marks the start of an exciting playwriting career for Daniel Kanaber.
Shiver received its world premiere at Watford Palace Theatre on 3 February 2014, starring David Horovitch (Hysteria, Hampstead Theatre; Grief, National Theatre; Seven Jewish Children, Royal Court).
