Shakespeare, Not For The Sedentary

Officially, it's called Theater in the Rough. The audience follows the actors around the park. Each scene is acted in a different location.

Measure for Measure was the second play I saw from this amazing theater group. Last summer I watched/followed their Hamlet around Bloomfield Park, behind the King David Hotel, Jerusalem.

Theater in the Rough puts on one of Shakespeare's plays each summer. They begin their productions late afternoon, and by the time the last act begins, it's already dark.

Young and old, tourists, Israelis, sabras, olim chadashim and vatikim make up the audience. Some viewers carry chairs, others sit on the ground, stand or climb onto the "props." You may notice some of the children who are almost part of the scenery.

I must admit that I was sometimes distracted by the "little dramas" by "extras" that unintentionally added to the show. Bloomfield is a public park, and it isn't closed to the public during Shakespeare.


My friends and I attended the last performance of the season, and we could see that there was nothing tired or jaded about it. The actors seemed to be having a blast. They didn't seem tired; neither did the audience.

Production crew was very impressive. Many of the actors were playing multiple roles and had to change costumes constantly.

It's important to remember that the actors are amateurs. Not only that, but technically entrance is free. This year the recommended contribution/donation was NS35. They also sold T-shirts with the names of the plays Theater in The Rough have presented.

Theater in the Rough have a facebook page here click. If you'd like to get involved, email info@theaterintherough.co.il.

I have no idea which play will be next year. They'll make the announcement early summer and will open for auditions. Whether you hope to be part of the production or just in the audience, you're bound to have a wonderful time.

See you next summer.