An exploration of current productions of Levin’s timeless works (including an Opera!). With his signature dark wit and sharp-eyed cynicism, Levin’s plays feel more prophetic than ever (and not in the good way). This panel dives into how the legacy of Israel’s most influential playwright continues to inspire, provoke, and hold up an uncomfortable mirror to both today’s theatrical world and the messy political realities we live in.

Moderated by Prof. Roy Horovitz
Chair of Drama and Theatre Program, Bar-Ilan University.
An acclaimed Israeli actor, director, translator, dramaturge and scholar.
An expert on Hanoch Levin, performs and teaches Levins’ works both in Israel and abroad.

The actors of the Cameri Theatre embark on a journey through a variety of plays, songs, and sketches by Hanoch Levin – one of the greatest Israeli writers of all time.

The show fluctuates from love to missed opportunities, from passion to wretchedness and misery, and from fruit compote to pickled herring, and all the while, the shadow of war looms above. 

Levin’s beloved songs are performed in new arrangements, accompanied by live music. Songs include Mr. Almost and Ms. Already, You and Me and the Next War, London, and Here Come the Days of Summer.

A Levinesque carnival that is at once hilariously funny yet sad to the point of absurdity. 

Running Time: 90 minutes

For performance rights to Levin’s plays: Shimrit Ron, Director, The Hanoch Levin Institute of Israeli Drama
[email protected]

Music by five Israeli composers: Yossi Ben Nun, Yonatan Cnaan, Yonatan Keret, Ronnie Reshef, and David Sebba

Director Shirit Lee Weiss has created a unique dramatic operatic entity that combines small miniature scenes and songs written by five intriguing Israeli composers, each with his or her own language, yet altogether creating a dramatic evening that moves naturally from scene to scene and from song to song. Hanoch Levin – The Opera captures the very essence of human nature, combining music and drama to create a roller coaster of human emotions ranging from humor to pain, from agony to ecstasy, from tears of joy to tears of pain.

Each miniature segment suggests a very powerful human condition in the unique way Levin was able to create in his plays. From a man returning to his lover after thirty years only to be shunned once more, to a woman who is eager to find love and sex whatever it takes. Each character yearns for love, sympathy, and understanding, each character is willing to do whatever it takes to enjoy life to its fullest. People who realize that they are past their prime, yet not willing to let life go by. And alongside the musical-dramatic palate of these characters we encounter those who are yearning for peace and comfort in life at a time when the powers that be are not that easy…

The production, with the participation of 17 musicians and 10 singers,

is sung in Hebrew with surtitles in English.

Running Time: 90 minutes