Tel Aviv Cinema
Tel Aviv cinemas tend to be in large complexes with multiple
small cinema auditoriums. This way they can present many films at the same time
and offer a wide choice. The most important thing about Israeli cinema is that
there is no dubbing of international films! Films are screened in their
original language with Hebrew (and sometimes English subtitles). Here are some
of the most popular Tel Aviv cinemas.
Rav Chen Tel Aviv, Ben Ami Street 16, Dizengoff
Square
Once a single-cinema venue opened in the 1950s the Rav Chen
now has six theatres housed in a Bauhaus building. Although screening mainly
the latest Hollywood releases the Rav Chen has maintained some of its nostalgic
feel thanks to the preservation of the historic building.
Lev Cinema, Dizengoff Center Mall
This cinema focuses on top movie productions from around the
world, specifically blockbusters and the latest releases. The cinema complex
has six theatres spread across the top floor of the Dizengoff Mall.
Cinematheque, Shprintsak St 2
This cinema complex screens mainly indie and foreign films
but also Israeli films. The complex has five theatres which are often the venue
for film festivals. The films offered cover diverse genres from documentaries,
shorts and cartoons to avant-garde and Hollywood blockbusters. This is the
venue for “cultural” films and appeals to those interested in non-commercial
films that challenge social and political norms.
Cinema City Glilot
Located just a little out of the city center this cinema
complex is decorated with large mannequins of famous movie characters. It is a
fun place of entertainment with over 20 cinema theatres. The complex includes
cafes, stores and several good eateries although it can’t really be called a
mall as the focus is really on cinema.
Tel Aviv Theatre
Tel Aviv has a thriving cultural life with many large and
active theatres. In addition to the national and municipal theatres you will
find many small indie and alternative theatre venues.
Suzanne Dellal Centre
This venue is almost exclusively for dance performances
although it also hosts concerts, recitals and theatrical productions. The
theatre is in a beautiful location is Tel Aviv’s Neve Tzedek neighborhood and
worth visiting just to see the architecture and enjoy the theatre’s café. The
Suzanne Dellal Centre is home to the Bathsheba Dance Company.
Mann Auditorium, Habima Square
The name of this theatre venue may be confusing. It is
called Heichal HaTarbut (Cultural Palace); the Charles Bronfman Auditorium and
formally the Mann Auditorium. This is the largest concert hall in the city
seating up to 2,412 spectators and home to the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.
Habima Theatre, Habima Square
The Habima Theatre Company was founded in Vilnius in 1912
and has grown to be the national theatre. The theatre presents a wide range of
theatrical genres and the theatre company has performed at venues around the
world. This prestigious theatre has nurtured many of Israel’s greatest
performers. Productions are performed in Hebrew or English and often Hebrew
performances are accompanies by Russian or English subtitles.
Beit Lessin. Weizmann 60, ZOA Ibn Gvirol and the
Eretz Israel Museum
This theatre company has three Tel Aviv venues where they
perform contemporary theatre. Productions tend to be mostly contemporary American
or European productions although they also perform original local productions
and children’s theatre. The annual Open Stage Festival offers a platform for
new local playwrights.
Cameri Theatre, Shaul HaMelech 19
This is a municipal theatre housed within the Tel Aviv
Performing Arts Center (TAPAC). It shares this large arts complex with the
Israeli Opera. It is the largest and most prolific theatre in the country,
presenting up to 32 productions a year. The theatre presents a wide range of
theatrical genres from intimate stand-up comedy to large-scale musicals and
visiting international productions.
Israeli Opera, Shaul HaMelech 19
Sharing the large modern Tel Aviv Performing Arts complex
with the Cameri Theatre this venue is home to the Israeli Opera company. In
addition to the opera productions presented here there are also musical, dance
and children’s productions.
HaSimta Theatre Jaffa
This is Israel’s oldest fringe theatre created 25 years ago.
The venue presents productions that push-the-envelope and are considered
alternative or out-of-the-box. The theatre offers a platform to new playwrights
and has an annual festival devoted to original theatre.
Gesher Theatre, Jerusalem Blvd. 7
Gesher Theatre was founded by Russian immigrant actors in
the 1990s creating a “bridge” (gesher) between the two countries. Israel has a
large Russian-speaking population and the theatre presents two versions of each
production – one in Hebrew and one in Russian or Hebrew productions with
Russian subtitles.
Jaffa Theatre, Mifrats Shlomo Promenade 10,
Jaffa
Jaffa is a city of mixed cultures and is home to the Jaffa
Theatre where cooperation between Arab and Jewish artists is the cornerstone.
The theatre has two theatre companies – one Arabic-speaking and the other
Hebrew-speaking. The two companies work both independently and together. There
are four annual theatre festivals here in the theatre’s unique Jaffa building.
Tzavta Theatre, Ibn Gvirol 30
This is a small venue where avant-garde productions and
musical shows are presented by private theatre companies. Overall productions
present a liberal Israeli outlook, alternative theatre and intimate theatre productions.