Yaacobi and Leidental
A play with choruses by Hanoch LevinAbout the show
“A play with songs about a not-so-romantic triangle: two grumpy men and a grumpy woman who are letting life pass them by.”
Hanoch Levin
Itamar Yaacobi and David Leidental, two lifelong friends, have spent years living a life of small comforts: pickled herring, weak tea, and board games, every evening on the same balcony. It seems they will continue this way until the end of their days, until one day Yaacobi decides to end the friendship and finally start “living.”
In his frantic wanderings through the city streets, Yaacobi meets Ruth Shakhash — a pianist with a modest life and big dreams.
Thus begins the tragicomic triangle of Yaacobi–Shakhash–Leidental: a ridiculous and touching struggle for dignity, love and happiness.
Considered one of Hanoch Levin’s great classics and an early expression of his distinctive artistic voice, the play moves between wild humor and gentle poetry, and like picking at a wound it constantly presents the piercing question: How does one become happy?
Running time: approx. 95 minutes, no intermission
Premieres on November 15, 2025
Credits
- Set Design Noam Weiss
- Costume Design Michal Glazer
- Musical Direction, Arrangement, and Performance Anna Benjamin
- Lighting Design Rotem Elroy
- Movement Design Maya Witlin
- Vocal Coach Rebecca Bogatin
- Production Manager Judit Katz
- Assistant Director Tal Levy