You Got To Have a Little Mazzel - De Leo Fuld Story

Documentary storyteller Roland Vonk brings the life story of Leo Fuld (1912-1997) to the stage in this theatrical performance. Fuld sold over 30 million gramophone records worldwide and was regarded as the emperor of Yiddish song - yet in his birthplace Rotterdam, his fame has been largely forgotten. He escaped Jewish persecution by touring in America just before the outbreak of the war.

Vonk interviewed Fuld in 1997 as one of the last journalists to do so. In this production, he traces Fuld's life path and seeks answers to lingering questions: was Fuld's nightclub in New York run by the mafia? How did he become popular as a Jewish singer in the Arab world? Was he truly the 'discoverer' of Charles Aznavour and a friend of Frank Sinatra? And what about the admirer he married just a year before his death?

The story is framed by songs from his repertoire, performed by singer-actor Dook van Dijck - who met Fuld as a child - and the Rotterdam trio De Flamingo's (saxophone: Pieter Ubbels, guitar: Ted Koninkx, double bass: Peter de Koning).

Roland Vonk presented programs on Radio Rijnmond for many years and previously created productions about the Rotterdam Razzia (De Razzia van 44 Bezongen) and the Jewish duo Johnny & Jones (Westerbork Serenade). Dook van Dijck performed in productions such as De Marathon, Soldaat van Oranje and De Prinsenjurk en de Gouden Knoop, and created the documentary series Huisje, Boompje, Error for BNNVARA with Kirsten van Teijn.

• Before the performance, join the 4 May Commemoration at Katendrecht.