All About Jewish Theatre - Theater in Israel

As interesting and insightful as this unusual study is, I promise you that you will be totally exhausted by the time you complete it. This is by far the most comprehensive study I have ever seen on the history of theater in Israel. It cover everything you could possibly think of. It starts with several essays regarding the history of theater in Israel from the founding of Tel Aviv’s Habima theater (originally begun in Russia) and going through all sorts of explanations of the Israeli psyche from the formation of the state onward. What makes this section of particular interest is the in depth psychological detailing of how Israelis struggled with defining their identity as “Israeli” from both a personal perspective and from the overall “collective” needs of the state itself. It is a complication that is very unique and also very central to all aspects of Israeli society. Many of the elements of this debate rage as fiercely today as they did in 1948.

The second half of the study presents extensive commentaries on the plays of Nissim Aloni, Hanoch Levin, and Yehoshua Sobol. This is by far the most difficult section of the book. Admittedly they are considered the greatest playwrights in Israel. Although their work is interesting, I freely admit as a non-scholar much of the commentary flew straight over my head and never came back to land on it.

The remaining chapters are perhaps amongst the best I think. They analyze the various thematic trends in Israeli theater from the portrayal of women, to dealing with the Israeli-Arab conflict on the stage. There is also a great deal of insight into how both Arab and Jewish actors, and directors dealt with outside influences such as the Intifada and the Lebanon War in the way they created and presented their own dramas on stage. The book concludes with a series of interviews with famous Israeli playwrights and actors. The interviews are very interesting and are easy to follow.

I will warn you that for some strange reason this book is pretty expensive. Despite the fact it was published in 1996 it is listed at $52.50. I’m not really sure why. I think that it is a very interesting study even if you have no interest in the theater because it covers so many aspects of Israeli society. I think it brings insight into the Israeli psyche and how as a collective whole they have managed to emerge into their own sense of identity through the years. I often think it is such a shame that more writers do not explore many of the themes presented in this book. I believe learning how the average Israeli feels about their own sense of individual identity in the context of the overall problems and triumphs of the state as a whole are of great interest to those of us living outside Israel.

Despite the ambitious scope of the book, I think it does a remarkably good job of putting together a series of essays that keep your interest. I found the interviews particularly interesting after having come to an understanding of the fundamental basics of the traditions of Israeli theater. The people interviewed are also very vibrant personalities in their own right, very “Israeli” if you will and their quick sense of humor is very entertaining.

Overall I would strongly recommend this book to both theater and non-theater buffs alike. I think you can browse every Non-Fiction shelf around for books on Israel and you are unlikely to run across any as insightful and comprehensive as this one. It is a heavy and serious read to be sure, but I think you will come away from it feeling like you have really experienced an unusual and fresh perspective on the dramatic traditions of one of the most fascinating regions in the world today.