Houdini - Jerusalem

Harry Houdini was born as Erich Weiss, grew up in a rabbi's house in Hungary and from there immigrated to the United States. The special character of the man, who knew how to break the chains and go to freedom, who closed his eyes, but mocked the believers in the "supernatural", who laughed at death, but succumbed to it prematurely, fascinated Nadia Timofeeva.

In her new work, she touches on the influence of Houdini's childhood, on his colorful and ambitious personality and his phenomenal success. Houdini's close ties with his family had an important place in his life and career. After his father's death, young Houdini promised his mother that he would take care of her for the rest of her life. Even after his marriage he continued to send her half of his income. Timofeeva, who creates original ballet performances for the Jerusalem Ballet Company, uses chains as a central motif in ballet. Houdini, who managed to free himself from various locks, handcuffs and straps, remained mentally bound to his past and his family, and in fact never broke free from them.

Choreography: Nadya Timofeeva

Music: Maurice Ravel, Richard Strauss, Kurt Weill, Ferde Grofé, Benjamin Yusupov

Costume designer: Inna Polonskaya

Lighting designer: Anton Makarenko

Performers: Mikhail Botsok, Anael Zateikin, Orian Yohanan, Alexander Shevtsov, Anastasia Korneeva, Dmitry Shevtsov