ON THEATER: Gallimaufry brings London comedy troupe to Laguna

Have you heard the one about the Arab, the Jew and the chicken? Well, you’ll get a chance to later this month in Laguna Beach.

Laguna’s Gallimaufry Performing Arts will present the American premiere of “The Arab, the Jew and the Chicken” by London entertainers Conflict Relief for two weekends in late October.

Conflict Relief is a four-person sketch comedy troupe based in London. It was formed a year ago by a Palestinian, an Israeli and a Lebanese who shared a desire to create theater that focused on the conflict in the Middle East from a comedic perspective.

After adding a British-Jewish actress to the company, Conflict Relief premiered “The Arab, the Jew and the Chicken” at London’s Courtyard Theater in March. From there it was north to the 2008 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and more applause.

Also at the Fringe was Steve Josephson, artistic director of Gallimaufry.

“I first met the company at the press launch for the C Venues,” Josephson explained. “Our Gallimaufry & Greene dance company had been asked to be the closing act of the special performance and Conflict Relief was helping to emcee the event.

“The characters that these guys created were wild, and they took very big risks,” Josephson added. “We loved it. No one else was doing anything like it. Conflict Relief covers the gamut of topics from pop culture, Britney Spears, PMS and conflict resolution. There’s a travel commercial promoting ‘historical ruins created only last week.’

“They don’t take sides or prisoners,” Josephson says. “Everything and everyone in the region is fair game. You can be sitting in the audience with a Palestinian, an Israeli or a Muslim and you’ll all be laughing. I just can’t speak for the chickens.”

IF YOU GO

WHAT: “The Arab, the Jew and the Chicken”

WHERE: Forum Theater, on Laguna’s Festival of Arts grounds

WHEN: 8 p.m. Oct. 23, 24, 25, 30, 31 and Nov. 1

COST: $15 to -$20; groups of 10 or more for $10 to $15

INFO: www.gallimaufry.info or (949) 499-5060.

TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Coastline Pilot.