Hecklers interrupt absurdist drama in Tel Aviv over supposed Netanyahu critique
Convinced actors used 1962 play about king clinging to power as put down against PM, an audience member shouts that cast is out of line, prompting chants of ‘democracy’ from others
A Tel Aviv performance of the play “Exit the King” was repeatedly interrupted on Friday as hecklers who mistook the six-decade-old absurdist drama for a critique on the current government were drowned out with chants of “Democracy”.
Eugène Ionesco’s renowned 1962 work tells the story of an aging monarch who refuses to accept that he has lost control of his kingdom and is facing death. Much of the piece involves his wife and doctor trying to convince him to accept his fate, to no avail.
Several audience members at the Cameri Theatre disapproved of the story, ostensibly believing that it was being used to critique Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who opponents claim is clinging to power despite having lost control of his political fate after 15 years as premier.
“You are out of line. You are taking the play in a political direction,” shouted one of the disproving hecklers.
In response, actor Rami Baruch quipped, “Just wait. Act II gets even more philosophical.”
“Do you think [Netanyahu supporters] are not philosophical,” shouted back another heckler.
מהומה בקאמרי: ההצגה "המלך עומד למות" נקטעה היום בגלל קריאות מהקהל. חלק מהנוכחים קראו "בושה" בטענה למסרים פוליטיים בהצגה, ויכוח פרץ בין חלקים בקהל ובין השחקנים pic.twitter.com/3bTisGKjfz
— Gil mishali גיל משעלי (@gilmishali) August 11, 2023
At this point, a large majority of the crowd grew angry at the hecklers and began chanting, “shame” and “democracy,” which have been common cheers at protests against the government’s judicial overhaul.
The actors resumed the play but were interrupted several more times before order was restored, engaging with the audience at several points.
“When things calmed down we tried to continue, but couldn’t,” Baruch told Channel 12 news later. “I turned to one of the hecklers and asked her how she had wanted this to end.”
The incident demonstrated the highly-charged nature of social and political discourse against the backdrop of the overhaul’s advancement. Ionesco’s material is often used in political discourse in Israel: a modern Hebrew word for someone who conforms to groupthink comes from his play “Rhinoceros.”
The Cameri Theatre defended the decision to put on a rendition of “Exit the King,” pointing out that the play was written decades ago in a different country and in another language.
“It is a beautiful and complex classic relevant to any time and place,” it said.
