A Timely Return to the Stage
Tracy-Ann Oberman has returned to London's Menier Chocolate Factory stage in a powerful revival of Ryan Craig's The Holy Rosenbergs, a production that feels startlingly relevant in 2026. Originally staged at the National Theatre in 2011, the play takes on new resonance as Oberman brings depth and nuance to the role of Lesley Rosenberg, the matriarch of a north London Jewish family navigating grief, political division, and community pressure.
The Holy Rosenbergs: A Family in Crisis
Set over one fraught evening in 2009, The Holy Rosenbergs centers on the Rosenberg family in their suburban Edgware dining room. The family is mourning the death of their eldest son Danny, an Israel Defense Forces pilot killed in action in Gaza. As they prepare for his memorial service, the household becomes a pressure cooker of conflicting ideologies and raw emotions. Oberman's Lesley is described by critics as "the family's glue," a woman constantly in motion—"ferrying finger bowls and levelling candle wicks"—while struggling to maintain her equilibrium in the face of unimaginable grief. The family's patriarch David (Nicholas Woodeson) fights to save their kosher catering business from scandal, while their daughter Ruth (Dorothea Myer-Bennett), a United Nations human-rights lawyer investigating alleged IDF abuses in Gaza, faces community backlash that threatens to tear the family apart.
Critical Acclaim for a "Magnificent" Performance
The revival, running at the Menier Chocolate Factory through May 2, 2026, has garnered significant critical attention for Oberman's performance. Jonathan Baz of The Times of Israel praised her as "magnificent," noting that she excels at "capturing the complex emotions of a mother struggling to maintain her equilibrium while simultaneously dealing with unimaginably traumatic grief." The Telegraph highlighted Oberman's ability to provide a "judicious mixture of light and shade," describing her as an "enjoyably clucking matriarch" who is "funny but more wistful as the living room turns debating chamber." Her portrayal has drawn comparisons to her beloved character Auntie Val from the Channel 4 sitcom Friday Night Dinner, with critics noting her gift for combining warmth with underlying tension. The Guardian described the production as "finely acted," singling out Oberman's "bleary Lesley" who remains resilient even in moments of collapse: "Even when she collapses, she's immediately on her feet ('Oh, don't make a whole production')."
A Distinguished Career Spanning Decades
Tracy-Ann Oberman's appearance in The Holy Rosenbergs represents another chapter in a remarkably diverse career that has spanned television, theatre, and activism. Born on August 25, 1966, Oberman trained at Manchester University (Drama), the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, and the Moscow Art Theatre School.
Television Stardom
Oberman is perhaps best known to television audiences as Chrissie Watts in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. Her portrayal of the scheming, complex character from 2004 to 2005 earned her a British Soap Award for Best Dressed Star and multiple nominations. She made a celebrated return to the role in 2024, demonstrating the lasting impact of her performance. Her television work extends far beyond soap opera. She played Yvonne Hartman in the iconic Doctor Who episodes "Army of Ghosts" and "Doomsday" (2006), a role she has continued in the Torchwood audio series since 2015. Recent years have seen memorable turns in critically acclaimed series including Ricky Gervais's After Life (2019–2022), Russell T Davies's It's a Sin (2021) as Carol Carter, and the cult comedy Toast of London (2012–2015, 2022) as Mrs. Purchase.
Theatre Excellence
Oberman's stage work has been equally impressive. Her roles range from classical productions at the National Theatre to West End hits. Highlights include Golde in Fiddler on the Roof (2017), Belinda Blair in Noises Off (2022), and Monica Reed in Noël Coward's Present Laughter (2018).
The Merchant of Venice 1936: A Defining Moment
Perhaps no role has been more personally significant than her groundbreaking portrayal of Shylock in The Merchant of Venice 1936 (2023). Oberman became the first woman to play the role, reimagining Shakespeare's controversial Jewish moneylender in 1930s Britain against the backdrop of fascism. The production relocated the action from Renaissance Venice to London's East End, drawing explicit parallels between historic and contemporary antisemitism. This bold artistic choice aligned with Oberman's increasingly vocal activism. In 2025, she was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for services to Holocaust education and combating antisemitism—recognition of her work both on and off the stage.
Activism and Jewish Identity
Oberman's Jewish identity has become increasingly central to her public work. Following the events of October 7, 2023, she emerged as a prominent voice speaking out against rising antisemitism in Britain. Her choice to perform in The Holy Rosenbergs in 2026 reflects her commitment to exploring complex questions of Jewish identity, diaspora politics, and the challenges facing Jewish communities. The play itself doesn't offer easy answers to the difficult questions it raises about Israel, Gaza, and the responsibilities of diaspora Jews. Instead, it creates space for these conversations—something that feels particularly urgent in the current moment. Oberman's Lesley embodies this complexity: a mother grieving her soldier son while navigating the political divisions within her own family and community.
A Complete Artist
Tracy-Ann Oberman has also distinguished herself as a writer. She co-authored the radio sitcom 3 Sisters on Hope Street (2008) and wrote the acclaimed radio plays Bette and Joan and Baby Jane (2010) and Rock and Doris and Elizabeth (2012). In 1998, she won a BBC 3 Award for Comedy Writing for Harringham Harker. Her ability to move seamlessly between comedy and drama, between popular entertainment and politically engaged theatre, marks her as a complete artist. Whether playing a soap opera villain, a time-travelling Torchwood director, or a grieving Jewish mother, Oberman brings intelligence, warmth, and unflinching honesty to every role.
Conclusion
The Holy Rosenbergs at the Menier Chocolate Factory showcases Tracy-Ann Oberman at the height of her powers. Her portrayal of Lesley Rosenberg is both heartbreaking and recognizable—a mother trying to hold her family together while her world falls apart. The production demonstrates why Oberman has become one of Britain's most respected and versatile performers, unafraid to tackle difficult material and willing to use her platform to engage with urgent contemporary issues. As she continues to balance her work as an actress, writer, and activist, Oberman exemplifies the power of art to illuminate our most challenging conversations. Her performance in The Holy Rosenbergs is essential viewing for anyone interested in contemporary British theatre, Jewish storytelling, or simply exceptional acting.