Fresh from his performance in the play "Volunteer Man" at the Grahamstown Festival, one of Israel's foremost young actors and directors, Roy Horowitz, is staying on in SA to perform his acclaimed one-man play, "MY FIRST SONY" at the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square in Sandton.
Shtetler Victor Gordon, who is the director of "Tararam” - the South Africa/Israel Culture Fund which is responsible for the exposure of Israeli culture in all its forms to South African audiences, says “this is a show that SA Jewish theatre-lovers will appreciate.”
Gordon’s own play, "Pollard's Trial" which deals with the American Jewish spy Jonathan Pollard and is currently on at the Cameri Theatre in Tel Aviv to rave reviews, was directed by Roy Horowitz.
Horowitz, who enjoyed huge success with “The Timekeepers” at the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square last year, now brings his one-man show “My First Sony” to the same venue from Wednesday 13 to 30 July - so get there, and watch MyShtetl for a review and an interview with Horowitz.
My First Sony, by Benny Barbashe, is an award-winning poignant and amusing monodrama which has toured Israel and abroad to great acclaim for 15 years. It is the story of an 11-year old child, Yotam, obsessed with documentation. He records everything on his tape recorder and the story unfolds like a cassette being rewound and fast forwarded focusing on his life, his parent’s foibles and the rite of passage.
My First Sony brims with traumas, forgiveness and love. Horowitz paints vivid pictures of his family life as if you are listening to the live recordings themselves. With flashbacks and memories, both touching and funny, you cannot help but turn up the volume on this charming, delicate piece of international theatre.
Just a few of the rave reviews for “My First Sony”
"It is clear that Horowitz is a consummate actor- talented and exciting… Although the story sounds sad, the play is both touching and funny - The Daily Davar, Israel
”One man creates the world. Try My First Sony, the gut-wrenching story of a marriage gone wrong, ingeniously expanded from the kid's-eye view. A surprisingly full-bodied and heartbreaking solo show from Israel… we see a complex, splintering adult world through the round eyes of an 11-year-old kid. The naïve observer has limitations, of course: Benny Barbash's play has a dramatically ingenious way of transcending those… Roy Horovitz stars in this polished touring production, and you start meeting people, feeling a family's heartbreak, and watching a little boy get old before his time" - Liz Nicholls, The Edmonton Journal
"A pleasant surprise. It is beautifully crafted and performed" - Judy Unwin, Global TV, Canada
"This solo performance is augmented with sound recordings of other voices – the mother, her friend, a Holocaust survivor whose memoirs Yotam’s father undertakes to ghost-write, in order to earn enough to feed his three children. Horowitz portrays the bewildered and obsessed child, without being childish... A disturbing story, told with sincerity and skill" - Beth Jenkins, See Magazine
"My First Sony” opens with Roy Horowitz, the only actor in this piece, sidling into a simple stage setting: two bookcases filled with audiocassette tapes. One is labelled ‘sounds from nature’ and the other ‘quarrels’ and ‘dad.’ This tentative and engaging opening is the perfect device for the gentle and absorbing performance that follows. Horovitz brings an endearing simplicity of approach to the role of Yotam. He uses a practiced story-teller’s understated skill to describe scenes of an adoring young boy being victimised, and then abandoned by his father as his parents struggle through conflicts in their marriage. Lightness and humour in the telling take the edge off the pain, bringing a sense of humanity and compassion instead. This is without question the most polished piece to have appeared in this Festival” - Theresa Edlmann, Cue Magazine, South Africa
"A beautiful and very well acted play… Not a dull moment. Horowitz is sensitive, natural and convincing. He successfully plays a child without falling into childishness, and gains sympathy without gushing 'shmaltz'!" - The Daily Yediot Aharonot, Israel
Performances will take place from Tuesdays to Saturdays at 8.15pm.
There are special group bookings discounts - and on Tuesdays nights tickets are two for the price of one! Fundraisers and dinner show packages and can also be arranged.
Bookings can be made by calling the theatre on 011 883-8606 or the Call Centre on 0861 22 4498 or book online – www.ticket.co.za or www.theatreonthesquare.co.za
Horowitz and Harvard audience.jpg
Dear Shtetlers, I went to
Dear Shtetlers,
I went to the opening night of this one man play and although I am by no means a big theatre goer I really enjoyed it.
Roy Horovitz is an incredible actor and the play itself is incredibly well writen and is a very creative critique of Israeli society.
Not only are you supporting Israeli artists and Israeli culture abroad but you will be in for a real treat.
Following the play there is an informal Q&A with the actor which is a really nice bonus.
Its for sure a must see!