DIBBUK – Between (Two) Worlds

With its new project “Dibbuk”, the Kula Compagnie highlights one of the most important works of Yiddish literature and places it in a contemporary context. The play by Salomon An-Ski, which premiered in 1920, tells the story of a Jewish bridal couple whose wedding is foiled by a demon, the Dibbuk, who has taken possession of the young woman. Recognising that anti-Semitic narratives are coursing once again through mainstream Europe, the Kula Companie – in cooperation with the Ruhrfestspiele in Recklinghausen, the Academy of the Arts in Berlin, Das Vinzenz in Munich and other partners – would like to stage a transcultural production to increase the public’s understanding of the troubled history and present-day conflicts between Europe, Israel and other nations of the Middle East. The escalation of the political conflict in Israel-Palestine represents an immense challenge for the participating artists of the KULA Compagnie and at the same time reinforces the motive to meet in artistic work in order to make a contribution to dialogue and understanding in a time of political tension. 

The project is being carried out in cooperation with partner institutions in Germany, France, Italy, Russia, Israel, Iran, and Afghanistan in four separate phases. In a transnational writing workshop, the participants will learn about and discuss central themes of the Jewish legend and compare it with the experiences and narratives of other artistic traditions. In the rehearsal phase, the participants will collaboratively develop the piece in a non-hierarchical manner. This phase will culminate in its world premiere at the Ruhrfestspiele Recklinghausen, followed by its presentation to international audiences with guest performances in Berlin, Poland, Israel and Iran. The production should unfold over two different performances, which are played on the same evening or stand alone. Both parts can also be presented separately in countries where it is not possible for all participants to travel or where their safety is not guaranteed.

Artistic and stage director: Robert Schuster
Props: Sascha Gross
Music: Max Bauer
Choreography: Slawa Kushkov
Actors: Fariba Baqeri, Hadar Dimand, Yahil Elimelech, Tahera Rezaie, Romaric Séguin, Céline Martin-Sisteron, Jonas Schlagowsky, Peter Schorn, Zinedinne Smain, Robert Spitz and others

Performances: Ruhrfestspiele, Recklinghausen: 16–18 May 2024; das Vinzenz/Gasteig, Munich: 31 May – 2 Jun. 2024; Khan Theater, Jerusalem: 20–21 Sep. 2024; Teatr Śląski, Katowice: 27-28 Sep. 2024; Academy of the Arts, Berlin: early 2025