Bringing you monthly updates on Israeli creatives and cultural projects around the UK.
Last week we said goodbye to our Director of Culture, Barak Ganor. He will be missed not only by his team, but by the many people he connected with during his term. Barak is succeeded by Yoram Morad, to whom we wish a very warm welcome to our team and to the embassy.
NEWS
Last month Israeli performers have been taking over London’s music scene: Fiddler on the Roof, whose cast included Noa Bodner and Darya Topol Martgalith, continues to capture the hearts of audience members and critics alike, while at the BBC Proms, Lahav Shani dazzled audiences with a firing performance of Prokofiev’s 3rd Piano Concerto, both conducting and performing.
Tevye came back to life this summer at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, directed by Jordan Fein, portrayed by Adam Daanhessier. The stage musical returns to London after a hugely successful performance in the West End in 2019.
At the end of August, Lahav Shani gave a splendid performance at Royal Albert Hall together with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, presenting 20th century repertoire by Prokofiev, Debussy, Ravel, and Boulanger. The concert was received enthusiastically, escpecially for Shani’s performance of the 3rd Piano Concerto of Prokofiev, which he both performed and directed. At only 35, Shani is the Music Director of the Israel Philharmonic since 2018 and Chief Conductor of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra since 2016. In Israel, he worked closesly with Zubin Mehta.
EVENTS
ART
At Start Art Fair until between 9 and 13 October, sculptor Dan Reisner presented some of his recents works from his series Les Idoles du Soleil. His pieces evoke powerful expressions of healing, identity, and emotion. The fair took place at Camden Town Hall.
In the heart of Brighton, professional artists and students alike explored their artistic language over a two-week-long residency - Draw to Perform. Organised by performance artist Ram Samocha between 14 and 28 September.
THEATRE
Israel-based the Train Theatre Company, who performed at JW3 in London earlier this year, has been nominated for two Offies Awards with their production Once Upon a World. The Offies, a nickname for The Off West End Theatre Awards, celebrate the best of independent theatre across London.
MUSIC
On the evening of 9 October, violin-piano duo Cohen-Hejazi presented Nigun: Nostalgia and Exhuberance. Performed at 1901 Arts Club, the recital was dedicated to commemorate one year since the attacks of October 7, presenting a selection of Jewish composers.
Pianist Ariel Lanyi performed a fiery Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.4 with the Maidstone Symphony Orchestra on 12 October. The concert took place at Mote Hall in Maidstone.
On September 22, young pianist Yoav Levanon gave a splendid performance at Wigmore Hall, presenting a repertoire of Chopin and Liszt as part of the Autumn International Piano Festival.
LITERATURE
Yael van der Wouden’s novel Safekeep has been longlisted for the Booker Prize 2024. The novel is described as ‘an exhilarating tale of twisted desire, histories and homes’, available in the UK via Penguin Random House.
DANCE
Jasmin Vardimon’s newest production NOW celebrates the company’s 25th anniversary. The show is currently on tour accross the UK, culminating with performances at Saddler’s Wells in March 2025.
Dance for Israel with Israel is the upcoming event organised by the Jewish National Fund UK on Sunday, 20 October from 17:30. The fundraising event invites dancers of all levels and experience to join a dance class that will be live-streamed between Lonodn and Tel Aviv.
FILM & TV
One Day in October is the latest documentary of filmmaker Dan Reed for Channel 4. The film is an account of the events that took place at Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7, as told through survivors’ testimonies. Available to watch on Channel 4.
Gal Gadot plays the role of Evil Queen in Disney’s upcoming live-action movie Snow White. The anticipated UK release date is 31 March 2025, reimagining the 1937 classic, Disney's first feature-length animated film.
OPPORTUNITIES
UK Jewish Film is seeking two interns to support in the delivery of the UK Jewish Film Festival 2024, taking place in November. Interns will have the opportunity to engage in a full spectrum of tasks, gaining a deeper understanding of the organisation and the film industry. More information via info@ukjewishfilm.org.
AROUND LONDON
At the Warburg Institute (research centre and home to a unique library smuggled out of Nazi Germany) objects explore the story of movement and survival in an exhibition until 20 December. Memory & Migration: The Warburg Institute 1926 - 2024 marks the re-opening of the institute after a six year renovation project.
Ronnie Scott’s is the legendary jazz club of London, offering a variety of performances every evening of the week. Highlights this month include Tatiana Eva-Marie, Dexter Wansel, Natalie Williams, and Jerron Paxton. Located in the heart of Soho.
At the National Gallery, Van Gogh’s paintings adorn the gallery walls until 19 January 2025 as part of the exhibition Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers. Starry Night Over Rhone and Sunflowers are icons not to be missed.
The ballet of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland takes you down the rabbit hole at the Royal Ballet & Opera in a production choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon adapting Lewis Carroll’s famous family story. On until June 2025.
