Despite the tense struggle scenario, particularly within the area, the Samaria Theatre, the primary repertoire theater in Jews and Samaria, had its first premiere efficiency on March fifth.
Written and directed by Roy Malka, the play was created in collaboration with Ma’Alot Tarshiha’s Andalusian Orchestra Almogravure, directed by Orian Shukron. The present was offered on the Ariel Cultural Center. Artistic director Natty Rabbitz. (Credit: Redi Rubinstein)
In this interview with the journal, the theatre’s inventive director, musician and movie, theatre and tv actor Nathan Ravitz mentioned he and common director Hatuna Kipnis got here up with the thought of opening the theatre three years in the past. But now he mentioned, it is much more wanted to lift the spirit. “Culture and security are inseparable,” Rabbitz mentioned.
Regarding his future repertoire, he mentioned: “The aim I set is to create accessible content material that matches the values of our wealthy tradition and historical past, and to make sure an expert degree that doesn’t compromise inventive high quality.
The new theatre goals to mix Judaism with theatre (the connection between faith and theatre) and create an incubator for native artists and creators in Jewish and Samaria.
The Samaria Theatre is being launched below the initiative of the Samaria Regional Council. Alongside the skilled repertoire theater there are numerous faculties for theatre occupation. The theatre will function from the Balkan Industrial Area till it’s moved to a everlasting location. “We’ll play in different cities in Israel,” Rabbitz mentioned.
The inventive director desires to achieve all types of secular and spiritual audiences, and to make sure the theater is accessible to those that can not journey to the metropolitan metropolis resulting from visitors or safety causes.
It is tough to not deal with this as a political act, because the theaters are opening in the midst of the struggle that has been getting into Samaria and Jewish for the primary time since 2002. The journal started by asking Rabbits about it. “Journeys of Redemption,” first premiere on the Samaria Theatre, March 5, 2025 (credit score: Redi Rubinstein)
I want I might discuss in regards to the repertoire of the Samaria Theatre and keep away from politics, however at this level are you opening the theatre with political statements in Judea and Samaria?
Maybe I am unable to keep away from the truth that it’s a political assertion, however that was not supposed. I wished a theatre. The entire factor began when me and Hatuna Kipnis wished to open a brand new theatre. We labored collectively at Habima Theater. She labored in advertising and marketing for 20 years and I used to be there as an actor. We shared the identical concept about merging artwork with Judaism.
Unfortunately, the excellent Israeli theatres inform very nice tales of cultures and international locations and playwrights of all types of world, however do not present a lot.
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I appeared into 4,000 years of our historical past with nice drama and comedy. Hero and villain, Yoshito. Stories of affection like prophets and kings, betrayed, visionary individuals. War, Holocaust, Zionism. As an artist dwelling in Israel, it was very related to my Judaism and I wished to point out all of it on stage.
When did this concept come up?
We began engaged on it three years in the past and created a nonprofit group with localization in thoughts. But someday, Hat gave a lecture at Samaria after which known as me, “Listen, our theatre will probably be in Samaria.” I advised her that it was an excellent concept as a result of Samaria is a spot she lacks within the theatre. Theatres and tradition hardly ever go to the realm. People dwelling in Samaria have issues going to Tel Aviv or different cities to have a cultural expertise. And resulting from safety points, artists and performers are afraid to go there. Therefore, it should turn into a house for creators dwelling in Jews and Samaria.
You lived in Samaria for some time, so that you knew the scenario effectively from inside.
Yes, my household moved right here six years in the past. It was a second after I was planning on altering my home anyway, and I fell in love with Samaria whereas filming a movie right here within the identify of my daughter. [2019, directed by Liran Shitrit]. In this very intense movie, I performed the daddy whose daughter was killed in a terrorist assault… I do not need to destroy it for anybody who hasn’t seen it, however there’s the problem of prisoner trade.
Does anybody refuse to carry out there due to political opinions about what you mentioned in regards to the actors fearing going to Samaria for safety causes?
Yes, some actors do not need to come for political causes, however they’re within the minority. Most actors and creators are stuffed with pleasure. Another platform to run. You may give the artist a spot to play, join them to the realm, and blend issues up.
Our theatre nonetheless does not have a everlasting place. As it’s being constructed now, we carry out all around the nation and have actors from all types of theatres.
In the subsequent stage, we need to construct an ensemble of Jewish and Samaria actors. [providing them] In a yr of coaching. You can then solid them into the manufacturing. The Samaria Theatre additionally travels to Israel and performs in varied cities. Scene from “Red Journey.” (Credit: Redi Rubinstein)
Original Play: Starting with Mas Ehahaura, written and directed by Roymarca for the Samaria Theatre, in collaboration with Andalucian Orchestra Almogravure.
The orchestra returned to motion after practically a yr and a half downtime as a result of struggle. The play focuses on the story of 4 religious giants whose writings and works exist in our lives to at the present time. Rabbi Yehuda Halevi. Rabbi Avraham Ibn Ezra; Rabbi Chaim Ben Atar; Rabbiakov Abhatzeira. They had been separated for hundreds of years, however all of them burned their ardour for Zion. This ardour has been remodeled right into a poem of singing, prayer and liturgy.
Are you solely authentic performs or different performs?
There are not any Shakespeare, Chekhov, or Ibsen. Respectfully, they’re very nice and proficient playwrights, however now we have our personal DNA. The total course of started 4,000 years in the past and continues after us.
Would you identify a play by a Jewish playwright?
sure. However, we choose the unique supplies. We have already got so many lovely theatres lined up in our repertoire and I’m keen to start out and proceed.
The Samaria Theatre is just not an unbiased theatre. It is situated below the Samaria Regional Council.
It can’t be completed with out the help of Council Head Yoshi Daghan. He understands the necessity for tradition right here. Before opening the theatre, he mentioned, “The institution of the Samaria Theatre, the primary repertoire theater in Judea and Samaria, is the primary actual work that straightens the native voices from Mount Samaria. The institution of the theatre is a direct continuation of the institution of the Samaria Film Foundation and the Samaria Film Festival.
Who do you suppose will probably be your viewers?
Open to all types of audiences. It permits the Shomron individuals to inform a part of the story, permitting them to really feel extra related to the fabric.
Many Orthodox individuals dwell in Judea and Samaria and don’t take part within the efficiency resulting from spiritual causes or restrictions. Do you suppose they’re going to come to your theatre?
Yes, there are additionally theaters for spiritual individuals. In the case of Haredim [ultra-Orthodox] There is one other seating choice to come back and see the play.
That’s a uncommon factor you may discover in theatres. Do all exhibits have such departments?
no. Our plans embody many performs and exhibits!
Hearing about opening cultural establishments in the course of the ongoing struggle, all of the atrocities, hostages are nonetheless being held in Gaza, bombs and terrorist assaults are attacked virtually day by day on buses in central Israel.
Every technology has an enemy making an attempt to kill us. And each time God saves us.
Each technology has an Amalek.
We now have Amalek in entrance of us.
Why is theater and tradition so vital these days?
It is vital to grasp that tradition and safety help one another. There’s a narrative about Winston Churchill throughout World War II. Britain was in a really dangerous scenario as a result of struggle with Germany. The Finance Minister advised Churchill that the Army wants ammunition, so the federal government ought to minimize its cultural price range and provides it to the safety price range. Churchill replied, “Without tradition, there’s nothing to combat.”
That’s an excellent reply to why you are opening the theatre within the struggle.
The Jewish story is in opposition to all logic, and it’s a miracle. Other international locations of the world didn’t survive two thousand years of exile, the Inquisition, the Pogrom and the Holocaust, and continued to dream of the land of Israel, a land that they had by no means seen earlier than. Two thousand years later, after World War II, the damaged individuals (one third of the nation was worn out) are constructing the nation, and 7 Arab international locations are attempting to eradicate them. [nearly] In 80 years they turn into a loopy empire exhibiting the world how one can shield themselves [and is a leader in] Medicine, therapeutic, expertise, agriculture.
There are lots of our tales proven on stage.
Speaking of miracles in our historical past, we not too long ago celebrated Prim, the place Judaism and theatre undoubtedly meet within the Prim Spier custom.
Yes, precisely! thanks!