HUMOUR in the UNHOLY

In Israel, two remarkable theatre productions show there’s still a lot to learn from the Holocaust.

Inspired by Nathan Rapoport’s sculpture “Warsaw Ghetto Uprising”—a work that was intended as a monument to Hitler’s victory in Europe but instead became a symbol of Jewish triumph—the almost non-verbal performance “Stones” is acted out by six actors entirely covered in Dead Sea mud. 

The performance by Israeli theatre group Orto-da can be adjusted into variable lengths and staged both indoors and outdoors for audiences of any size.

It has little text, few props, various styles of background music and performing techniques that draw on pantomime, physical theatre, commedia dell ’arte, clowning and pop art.

Yet “Stones” is a powerful story reexamining events that shaped the history of mankind.

In a second production, “The Timekeepers”, a three-character psychodrama set inthe Sachsenhausen concentration camp, a conservative, elderly Berlin Jew, a watch repairman, meets his new assistant, a young and outrageous German homosexual whose nickname is “Madame Butt”.

But misunderstanding and mistrust evolve into heartfelt friendship thanks to a shared love of opera. The Israeli cast, who can perform in both Hebrew and English, is excellent.

Interestingly enough, comedy is present in both of these works, but without overshadowing their important messages, and perhaps that’s why they stand out among darker dramatic works about the Holocaust. For example, one of the most memorable jokes in “The Timekeepers” is when Benjamin sings an aria, and Hans says, “And you’re sure you’re not one of us?”

Since both productions can travel light, how about inviting them to the Bangkok Theatre Festival this November, to show how we can live with different, or even opposing, ideologies in these troubled times?

“Stones” will be much delight outdoors at Santi Chaiprakarn Park, while “The Timekeepers” can be staged with much effectiveness at any of our small black box theatre, with the help of Thai surtitles of course. The Embassy of Israel in Bangkok, who is holding the 61^st anniversary of Israel’s independence this Tuesday (April 28), seems to be ready to lend their helping hands in realizing this.

The writer wishes to thank the Israeli Embassy for supporting his trip to Tel Aviv.