Mahol BaRuach at The Lab

Mahol BaRuach (Dance in the Spirit), a joint project of the Lab (HaMa’abada) Theatre, Beit Avi Chai and the Choreographer’s Society, will take place at the Lab Theatre on October 27 & 28, 2010.

Connecting body to spirit, prayer to movement, tradition to modernity, the participating choreographers explore different aspects of prayer, movement and the relationship between the two.
Each evening’s program will include three works, each no longer than 20 minutes, each with its own style, approach and concept.

The program notes:

Nimrod Freed: “Elohim Ishmor”
A lone man and his attempt to vanquish fear. Performers: Itzik Gabai, Elinor Chertok. Piano: Alexei Poliansky

Noa Dar: “HaDomem VeHamehakeh”
Text: Shaul Tchernichovsky. Original music: Tuvia Shlonsky. Arrangement and new music: Arik Shapira. Singer: Rena Khoury. Violin: Yousuf Makhoul. Translation to Arabic: Ranen Masrawa.
“Ani Ma’Amin” Tchernichovsky’s canonic poem, written in the first part of the 20th century in Odessa, is concerned with the poet’s belief in man’s ability to create a socially just world with empathy for one’s fellow beings, expressing hope for national renewal and peace between nations. The poem became an anthem for the Socialist-Zionist movement. The contemporary validity of the poem is tested through its translation to Arabic and the staging of the speaker as an Arab. The dance is performed as a lullaby, transmitting hope, dreams, warnings, and instructions for future generations.

Smadar Imor: “Sod HaYichud”
Choreography and direction: Smadar Imor. Dance: Ensemble Renaissance. Music: Reli Margalit.
The prayer “Shma Israel” is the moment of connection between God and the Shekhina. The ceremony takes place on high as a result of prayer in the lower levels, and the Zohar describes the preparations for the sensual wedding night. An original vocal and instrumental work created for dancers and voice artists.

Alice Dor-Cohen/MEMA Dance Theatre: “Ehad”
Dancers: Yoni Southi, Liron Ozeri,  Idan Porges. Costumes: Alice Dor-Cohen, Meytal Nimani. Set design: Alice, Meytal, Meno. Music: Amir Perlman, PSYCHIC TV
Three religions believe in one God discovering their shared elements as they rise to the Mount of God.

Ofra Idel: “Saul”
Dancers/creators: Ofra Idel, Ruby Edelman, Maya Michlal, Efrat Handler.
Three women are carried away through religious ritual to a world of passionate ritual. The pray to God to purify them of the evil within and keep their thoughts pure, but a male figure succeeds in leading them on the path of temptation.

Tami and Ronen Izhaki: “Road No. 1”
Dance: Ensemble Ka’et
What do revelers at a party and people praying in a synagogue have in common? What is the relationship between dangerous moves and those that are canonic and controlled? Where is the border between them?

Performances will take place October 27 & 28 at 20:30 at the Lab, 28 Hebron Road, Jerusalem. Tickets: 02-6292000.