FOLLOWING success in the West End, riotous comedy Bad Jews has returned to the Theatre Royal in Bath to kick off its first UK tour.

Bad Jews has delighted audience with its combination of sharp wit and meaningful debate since its UK premier in Ustinov Studio in July 2014.

Penned by Joshua Harmon, the hour-and-a-half long play tackles issues of family, heritage, religion, death and love – leaving audiences thinking and belly-laughing in equal measure.

Set in New York, the play focuses on members of a Jewish family as they come together to deal with the death of their grandfather, a survivor of the Holocaust.

Four diverse personalities are brought together in one small room on the night of the funeral, with an argument over a religiously significant family heirloom at the story's core.

The two central figures in this debate are Daphna, played by Alisa Joy, and Liam, played by Daniel Boyd.

While Daphna clings desperately to the millennia of Jewish history she sees in her wake, Liam regards it as unimportant and places more emphasis on the here and now.

This distinction is exemplified by the introduction of Liam’s non-Jewish girlfriend Melody, played by Antonia Kinlay, who he cares for more than his faith.

Jonah, played by Jos Slovik, plays Liam’s quiet brother, who, despite his desperation to remain uninvolved in the drama, may have a secret up his sleeve.

All of the parts are played excellently and the contrast in characters is incredibly effective.

Most striking about the play is the difficulty in deciding just who it is you, as a member of the audience, are supposed to be rooting for.

Liam will launch into superbly delivered 15-minute tirade against Daphna’s hypocrisy. You will be left unable to disagree until Daphna comes back with a rant of her own. You end up torn, like Jonah and Melody, between the two dynamic characters at the play's centre.

The play engages with matters of depth without ever seeming too heavy. It leaves one thinking but is also, at times, extraordinarily funny.

With the play achieving such wide-ranging emotions in its audience, it’s no wonder it’s been such a roaring success.

Bad Jews began its tour in Bath on Tuesday, with final shows tonight (October 9) and tomorrow. Tickets are on sale at the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 or online at www.theatreroyal.org.uk.