Russian Theater Troupe 'Alef' Thrives in Israel Despite Challenges

The "Alef" theater, founded in St. Petersburg, Russia, and relocated to Israel, has navigated a challenging path since its inception in 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The troupe has since faced further adversity, including the war in Ukraine and the conflict in Israel following the October 7th attacks. Founders Marina Vershinina and Tigran Saakov recently appeared on "Vesti" studio with their unique, adult-oriented puppets, which they consider their "children." The theater distinguishes itself by producing serious, philosophical plays for adult audiences, such as "Why There Is No Paradise on Earth" (based on Ephraim Sevela's novella), "Job," and "The Billy Milligan Story." Their productions incorporate multimedia, green screen technology, and visual effects, including a puppet with a smartphone embedded in its head to show scenes from the character's perspective.

A significant milestone for "Alef" was their collaboration with renowned actor and director Veniamin Smekhov. Initially involved in a play based on Sevela's work as a narrator, Smekhov later directed their production of "Job." Despite geographical distance and rehearsals conducted via Zoom, Smekhov personally attended rehearsals and readings in Haifa, setting a high artistic standard for the theater. The recent tragedies have influenced the repertoire, with plays like "Job" and a piece about children affected by war resonating deeply with audiences, though the creators consciously avoid exploiting wartime themes.

The theater credits the Israeli audience with providing crucial support, noting the intimate connection between stage and audience and the public's warmth and sincerity as vital motivators. Currently, "Alef" is preparing a premiere of "Job" entirely in Hebrew to broaden its reach beyond the Russian-speaking community. A major obstacle to the theater's growth is the lack of a permanent venue, as their complex sets require seven hours to assemble for each performance, making their touring schedule exhausting. The "Alef" leadership is seeking support from the Haifa municipality and patrons to establish a permanent home for the theater. Performance schedules and tickets are available on the theater's website.