The 5th Jaffa International Festival of Children’s Theatre will take place from October 20 – 23, 2011. A production of the Jaffa Theatre, the Arab-Hebrew Theatre Center, the festival endeavors to create a welcoming place where people of all ages, backgrounds, languages and beliefs can enjoy theatre with international and Israeli plays in Hebrew, Arabic, bilingual plays, plays in foreign languages and plays without words.
The festival is made possible through the support of the Tel Aviv Municipality Culture Department, the Company for the Development of Old Jaffa, the Culture Authority of the Ministry of Culture and Sport, the Marc Rich Foundation and Gregory, Yasmin and Kareem Rosshandler.
Special activities at the festival will include a stage for children, where each child can present a short performance of a song, dance, sketch or anything else they can imagine. The theatre plaza will be a hub of activity: stalls with children’s books in Hebrew and Arabic, creative workshops for children and outdoor performances – all free.
The Jaffa Theatre, now in its 13th year, is composed of two theatre groups that produce plays in Hebrew and Arabic (independently and together) – The Local Theater and The Arab Al-Saraya Theater of Jaffa. Jaffa Theatre Director is Yaakov Agmon, and the artistic directors are: Adiv Jashan, Gabi Aldor and Igal Ezraty. The festival producers are: Ravid Savil and Nataly Hassian.
The festival will open with an outdoor celebration hosted by Guy Zooaretz and Ibrahim Skala on Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 18:30 in the theatre plaza. The evening will include: a performance of scenes from the guest play from Malta – The Youth Potion of Arlecchino; Debka by the Jaffa Youth Ensemble; System Ali with Guy Zooaretz; and the actress Hawallah Haggdibsi will perform a scene from the play The Jaffa Ball.
International plays
The Youth Potion of Arlecchino from Malta, a world premiere performed in English, with songs in Arabic and Hebrew. A farce in the Commedia dell’Arte style: street theatre with masks, with improvisation and audience participation. Written and directed by Narcy Calamatta, the outdoor performance was created for the festival. Performers: Narcy Calamatta, Maria Victoria Doughty, Larissa E. Bonaci, Malcolm Vella, Almog Pail, Sean Briffa. Duration: 30 min. Recommended for all ages.
Troubles with the Golem from the Czech Republic, Agentura Dell Arte. The desire to create an immortal being, the consequential risks and eternal conflict of good and evil demonstrated through a multimedia non-verbal performance. Duration: 30 min. Recommended for ages 9+.
Israeli premieres
Savta (Grandma), Ensemble Persona. A non-verbal amusing and moving performance, telling a story which moves humorously between the past and the present. Director and choreography: Thierry Morel; co-director and dramaturgy: Nelly Amar; Actors: Rotem Nachmany, Matan Yaniv, Mayan Dobkowsky, and Yoel Landshut; Original music: Neama Redler; Lighting Design: Thierry Morel. Duration: 50 min. Recommended for ages 6+.
Zuzzi and Pupik. What happens when Zuzzi, a long legged clown, comes to perform and meets Pupik, a sturdy small clown who came to perform at the same time? Will they do it separately or together? Written by Gidona Raz; Director: Norman Issa; Actors: Maya Har-Zion and Eyal Salame. The show is in Hebrew. Duration: 45 min. Recommended for all ages.
The full timetable and program is available online. Tickets are 20NIS for the opening evening, 40 NIS per show, 75 NIS for the floating play – The Treasure. Discounts: 30 NIS for groups, 4 or more tickets – 30 NIS per show. To order call: 03 – 5185563. The Jaffa Theatre, 10 Mifratz Shlomo Street, Jaffa. www.arab-hebrew-theatre.org.il
