Nalaga'at celebrates successful year

Blind and deaf actors in the group tell their own stories, somewhat fictionalized, while making bread that they share with the audience afterward.

By HELEN KAYE
Theater Review 88 (photo credit: )
Theater Review 88
(photo credit: )
Nalaga'at, the only group of its kind in the world, is celebrating its first year at the Nalaga'at Center (just inside Jaffa Port) with a gala performance of Not by Bread Alone. In it, the 11 blind and deaf actors in the group tell their own stories, somewhat fictionalized, while making, kneading and baking bread that they share with the audience afterward. The guest of honor at the November 25 gala will be William Green, president of Deaf Blind International (DBI), which is headquartered in Australia and was established 30 years ago to promote the interests of deaf and blind people throughout the world. Adina Tal created Nalaga'at in 2002, and over two years of rehearsal developed the play together with the actors. Since the center opened in December 2007, some 70,000 people have seen the play. Sometimes sentimental, sometimes naïve, always utterly honest, Not by Bread Alone is a visceral and very touching experience. The center is open on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and visitors may also visit Café Capish and enjoy gourmet dining at Blackout - in total darkness. Info and tickets: (03) 633-0808.