Song of Songs is a cycle of love poems in the book of the Bible that has inspired this “play with music”.

Written, directed and starring US-based Israeli Ofra Daniel, an exotic Middle Eastern atmosphere is created by the onstage band of acclaimed musicians - well before the first words are spoken.

We first meet an elderly veiled woman. Regarded as mad, she is known as the ‘poet of love’ and is a fixture of the harbour in old Jaffa.

She is surrounded by four female chorus members (Laurel Dougall, Rebecca Giacopazzi, Shira Kravitz and Ashleigh Schuman) who fill Park Theatre's stage with song, dance and gossip.

Ham & High: The show is written, directed and stars Ofra Daniel The show is written, directed and stars Ofra Daniel (Image: Pamela Raith Photography)

As the contorted crone’s story unfolds, she becomes Tirzah, a young woman in Jerusalem who is married off to a widowed fishmonger (Matthew Woodyatt), some 20 years her senior.

She is a caring mother to his children, but it’s a loveless marriage and Tirzah is unable to conceive a child.

On her 30th birthday, she receives a letter and a bouquet of jasmine from an anonymous admirer. Intrigued, she plunges herself into a mysterious and feverish love affair, transforming herself into a sensual temptress.

Joaquin Pedro Valdes is in fine voice as the Lover who exists only in Tirzah’s imagination. The two never meet, but Tirza’s behaviour scandalises her neighbours; they shun her, she is exiled and descends into madness.

Although perhaps 10 minutes too long, and uneven in parts, this is nevertheless a thoroughly enjoyable show that is both poignant and captivating as a whole.

The heady combination of Middle Eastern, World Music and Klezmer is irresistible, and Daniel’s transformation from aged crone to beautiful, sensual young woman is truly miraculous.

A Song of Songs runs at  Park Theatre until 15 June.