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Tel Aviv, November 17 — The Tmuna Theater is set to close the year with a thought-provoking, reality-challenging festival running from November 17 to November 24.
The week-long event will feature an eclectic lineup of innovative productions, blending contemporary interpretations of literary classics with compelling responses to current global and regional events.
Among the highlights are stage adaptations of Olga Tokarczuk’s detective novel Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead, Aeschylus’s ancient tragedy Eumenides (The Kindly Ones), and Elfriede Jelinek’s On the Royal Road, a biting critique of political power written during Donald Trump’s first presidential term.
Adding to the mix is a Gaza-based adaptation of The Emigrants, which brings the plight of migrants to life, alongside other engaging works addressing timely issues.
A New Take on Literary Masterpieces
One of the festival’s most anticipated premieres is Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead, directed by Yotam Gotal.
Based on Nobel laureate Olga Tokarczuk’s novel, the play centers on Janina Duszejko, an astrology enthusiast and animal rights advocate, who turns amateur detective following a string of murders in her small community.
“This stage world is shaped entirely by Janina’s perspective,” Gotal explained, emphasizing the unique narrative style.
To deepen the connection to her world, the production team consulted astrologer Yaron Livne during rehearsals, enriching the actors’ understanding of Duszejko’s beliefs.
Actor Amit Breverman portrays multiple townsfolk who meet untimely ends, amplifying the eerie atmosphere of the production.
The play delves into pressing themes, including humanity’s exploitation of animals and systemic brutality. “It critiques the meat industry and the mechanisms of industrial-scale violence,” said Gotal. “This resonates strongly in today’s context, where such discussions are increasingly urgent.”
Another standout production is On the Royal Road by Nobel Prize winner Elfriede Jelinek. Directed by Lilian Ruth, the play introduces a blind seer grappling with the implications of selfish, immoral leadership.
While written during Trump’s first term, the production refrains from naming him explicitly, focusing instead on universal themes of power and corruption.
The play’s relevance in the current political climate, as Trump embarks on his second term, will be a key question for audiences to ponder.
Stories of Migration and Survival
Director Einat Weitzman brings The Emigrants to Tel Aviv in a remarkable collaboration with Gaza’s Theatre for Everybody. Performed in Arabic with Hebrew subtitles, the play portrays the struggles of two migrants: a worker and an intellectual, navigating alienation and displacement.
Originally staged in Gaza in 2021, the production faced significant challenges after the theater where it debuted was destroyed during the war. “Museums, libraries, cinemas — so many cultural spaces were lost,” Weitzman told The Jerusalem Post.
The reconstruction of the original set, including chairs and wardrobes, became an act of cultural preservation.
Salman and Kabha, the actors now performing the play, mimic every movement and tone of the original cast, who have since relocated to Egypt. “It’s about preserving what was nearly annihilated,” Weitzman emphasized.
A Blend of Comedy and Commentary
For lighter fare, audiences can enjoy One Less Gazelle by Oren Ailam, a humorous one-man show about the inefficiencies of the postal service.
Meanwhile, Gender Ideology Strikes Again by Lee Arnon and Zoya Bronshteyn offers an energetic drag performance that promises to uplift spirits during trying times.
These productions form part of the festival’s Memento series of documentary theater, which spotlights socio-political themes in a reflective and creative manner.
Insights into Israel’s Theater Scene
Beyond the stage, festival-goers can explore an exhibition by The Independent Theater and Performance Art Creators Organization (EVE), offering insights into the state of Israeli theater.
Researchers Tal Feder and Yeala Hazut Yanuka analyzed a decade of theater data (2013–2023), with infographic designer Yael Shinkar translating their findings into vibrant visuals. The exhibition sheds light on trends, challenges, and opportunities within the theater industry.
Festival Schedule and Details
The Tmuna Theater Festival kicks off on November 17 with One Less Gazelle and Gender Ideology Strikes Again. Other notable performances include:
- The Gaza Emigrants: November 18 at 8 p.m.
- Eumenides: November 20 at 7 p.m.
- On the Royal Road: November 22 at 3 p.m.
- Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead: November 23 at 5 p.m.
Tickets range from NIS 65 to NIS 90, with all productions in Hebrew except The Gaza Emigrants, performed in Arabic with Hebrew subtitles.
For more information and to book tickets, contact Tmuna Theater at 8 Soncino St., Tel Aviv, or call (03) 5611211.
This festival promises an unforgettable journey through bold narratives and innovative performances, cementing Tmuna Theater’s reputation as a hub for artistic exploration and social commentary.