About the Malenki Theatre
What kind of name is it?
In Russian "malenky" means small. This name was suggested even before we formulated our ideology, after we understood that there is no place for us in the existing theater world. We had very distinct feelings about what kind of theater is close to our heart – intimate, "chamber," one that leaves space for the actor and for word. The name had a tint of irony for the Russian-speaking founders of the theater, as it is the opposite of "bolshoy" (big), and as such expressed up front our relation to life and establishment. We wanted to solve serious problems in a non-serious way.
Where did this plan hatch?
In 1997, in the kitchen of actors Michael Teplitzky and Elena Yaralova, at Rothschild Blvd, 137. Igor Berezin, our would-be director and artistic director, was there as usual and spoke about founding a theater. This was the dream of immigrants who graduated from the best theater schools in Russia (MCHAT, LGITMiK, GITIS). There was no risk in talking because nobody believed that such a thing was possible.
Do you perform in Russian or in Hebrew?
Only in Hebrew, out of principle. Our first play was produced in Russian, and that only because we didn't know Hebrew sufficiently well. But already then we understood that it was meaningless, that we must either become a part of the place we live in or forever remain in the galut. For us, the perfect road to joining Israel led through the stage. Today, in our theater native actors work side by side with actors from the FSU, and all rehearsals are in Hebrew.