IDEAS for plays can spring from the most unexpected sources.

That for Cling To Me Like Ivy, to be seen next week at the Drum Theatre, came, unlikely as it may sound, from a casual comment made by Victoria Beckham, which inadvertently caused something like a crisis in the Orthodox Jewish community.

Clearly, an innocent remark may gather mass and energy like a snowball rolling downhill.

In an interview in 2004, Victoria Beckham was asked if her hair extensions came from Russian prisoners forced to shave their heads.

She jokingly replied that she had half of Russian Cell Block H on her head.

It then emerged that most of the hair on the international market came from the Tirupati Temple in India.

Now, if that were indeed the case, it might contravene Jewish law if it were used in the wigs, known as "sheitels", worn by married Orthodox Jewish women.

The play's author, Samantha Ellis was at the time working in a London Jewish bookstore, and records that for a fortnight customers' main topic of interest was "Sheitel-gate".

She says: "Rumours began that hair was coming from a Hindu temple in India, and wouldn't be allowed under Jewish law.

"Then a rabbi was said to have to have gone on a fact-finding mission to the Tirupati temple to interview bemused barbers.

"Soon there were bonfires of wigs on the streets of London, Jerusalem and New York. The debates were fierce and passionate."

Her play sparked by the event is both warm-hearted and funny, and revolves around love, marriage and beliefs.

The central character is Rivka who can hardly contain herself at the prospect of her perfect wedding – perfect man, perfect dress – in two weeks time.

But suddenly doubt is cast on the wig, and everything starts to go wrong.

Somehow she finds herself far from home, stuck up a tree, and caught up in the eviction of anti-road protestors.

Can she get home again? Does she want to? And if she does, how will things have changed?

This witty and thought-provoking play is recommended for everyone aged 12 and above.

It is directed by Sarah Esdaile who previously directed the stunning The Horse Marines, the Drum production that had an extended run in November 2008.

Cling To Me Like Ivy is at the Drum Theatre from Tuesday to Saturday, March 16 to 20, and there will be a question and answer session with members of the company following the performance on Thursday.