Hanoch Levin’s cabaret “Queen of the Bathtub” directed by his brother David Levin, with music composed by Zohar Levy, premiered at the Cameri Theatre in Nahmani Hall in 1970, and after raising a hue and cry the controversial political satire was taken off the stage after only 19 performances. Other than an almost secret performance staged by Marat Parkhomovsky as part of an exercise at Tel Aviv University’s Theater Department, described by critic Michael Handelzalts, the “Queen of the Bathtub” has not been performed again.
Zohar Levy and the two soloists – Tiki Dayan and Israel Gurion, realizing the significance of the material, made a rushed recording of all the songs during a rehearsal. The resulting record is a collector’s item, rarely seen, and a new CD edition released by the Third Ear soon sold out as well.
Yet the songs remain, and this coming weekend, on Saturday, July 2 they will be performed by contemporary Israeli members of the indie rock scene at Tmuna Theatre for two performances only, at 14:00 and 22:00.
Performing the songs will be: Noam Inbar (Habiluim), Zeev Tene, Yehu Yaron, Ruth Dolores Weiss, Talia Eliav, Kriminal Project and from the original show – Israel Gurion.
Listen to the original songs here.
Musical Production: Stav Ben Shahar, Production: Guy Hagag.
Tmuna Theatre, 8 Soncino Street, Tel Aviv. Tickets: 03-5611211.
