National School of Drama to stage play written by celebrated Israeli writer Hanoch Levin

Theatre lovers in the National Capital Region are in for a treat as the Embassy of Israel in India in collaboration with the National School of Drama is staging a play written by well-known Israeli playwright Hanoch Levin today and tomorrow.

Levin’s works are celebrated worldwide for their dark satire, profound humanity, and compassionate insights, and “Requiem” is no exception. This powerful play which is moving, thought-provoking and challenging, explores the themes of death, loss, and the absurdity of life and is sure to stay with the audiences long after the performance is over.

Based on three short stories of world-renowned Russian writer, Anton Chekhov, “Requiem” has been directed by a talented young Israeli director Maayan Even. Even travelled to India exclusively to collaborate with the NSD students on this project.

It was premiered in Israel in 1999 and from then on it has garnered widespread acclaim and received numerous awards, including the prestigious Israeli Theatre Award for Play of the Year.

Talking about the play, Reuma Mantzur, Cultural Attaché, Embassy of Israel in India, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with the National School of Drama on this production of ‘Requiem’. Hanoch Levin was a brilliant playwright, and his work is still relevant and powerful today. We are also excited to be working with Maayan Even, a talented director who is bringing his own unique vision to this play. We hope that this production will be a success and that it will help to strengthen the cultural ties between Israel and India.”

The cast of the play includes students of NSD who have been trained in the institution’s acting programme.

Even sharing his thoughts about the production said: “I am excited to be working with the NSD on this production of Requiem. I believe that the play is a powerful and important work of theater, and I am eager to share it with Indian audiences.”

(‘Requiem’ will be staged at Abhimanch, NSD at 3 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. on August 5 and 6)