Theater program for Suitcase Packers, The Cameri Theater
Written by Hanoch Levin. Director: Michael Alfreds
Israel, 1983
Courtesy of the Israeli Center for the Documentation of the Performing Arts
Must Know
”The Suitcase Packers” is a comedy play written by Hanoch Levin, poet, writer, playwright, and theater director. It is one of the pillars of the original Israeli theater. The play was first staged in the Cameri Theater in 1983, starred by Tiki Dayan, Zaharira Harifai, and Hanny Nahmias. The plot takes places in Israel in the 60s and describes the difficulties and the loneliness of different characters from different families, who are dealing with separation and abandonment, and who, during the play, die or pack suitcases to leave the country. It is a play with an Israeli character and with Jewish symbols, such as family, wandering, immigration, Ashkenaziness, in a contemporary style that emphasizes the gaps between the pioneer period and the Israeli period. The object of dreams changes, from the Land of Israel to a more radiant land and dreams. The lyrics of the song “London” sung by Chava Albertstein is taken from one of the dialogues in the play. In 2011, the play was restaged in the Cameri Theater, starred by Dror Keren, Rivka Michaeli, and Hanna Miron.
