Curtains up as Festival of Spoken Ivrit brings five new plays to London
JW3 to showcase performances including The Tortoise and the Hare and The Ugly Duckling, from Israel's HaShaa Theatre
Israel’s leading theatre for children and young people is bringing 5 plays to London this February for this year’s Festival of Spoken Ivrit, with 60 performances of productions including “The Tortoise and the Hare,” “The Ugly Duckling,” “The Heart,” “Simply Special,” and “From Point to Point.”
The festival, now in its eighth year, will take place at JW3 with the theme “Love Your Neighbour as Yourself”. It will be held in partnership with the, HaShaa (Hour) theatre and the World Zionist Organisation.
Alongside cast members, Israel educator and public speaker Miriam Peretz will open the festival’s gala evening on Sunday 1st February with a special family celebration featuring creative workshops, Israeli food stalls, and Israeli music.
Matan Bar-Noy, representative of the WZO in the UK and Europe, said that “at a time when antisemitism is on the rise and the challenges facing diaspora Jewry are increasing, The Festival of Spoken Ivrit in London is a Zionist, educational, and value-driven statement of the highest order.”
Bar-Noy described how the 2026 theme “reflects the core of the Israeli and Jewish story and builds a bridge between different parts of the Jewish people, here and abroad.
“Through culture, the Hebrew language, and Israeli creativity, we strengthen the connection of the younger generation to the Jewish people and to the State of Israel.” He expressed the hope that “in the next stage, we will yet see this generation tying its future to ours and making aliyah.”
Moti Halimi, chief executive of the Hour Theatre,” added: “Culture, language, and values are anchors of identity, and the encounter with Jewish children and families strengthens a sense of belonging and Jewish pride.”
All the plays are performed in Hebrew.
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