Theater Federatioun Announce Performance of Controversial Play ‘The Appeal’

Luxembourg's Theater Federatioun (Theatre Federation) has announced it will host a performance of The Appeal on Wednesday 15 April 2026 at 19:00, at Neumünster Abbey (neimënster) in Luxembourg-Grund.

The play, directed by Orly Noa Rabinyan – born in Israel to Persian parents - is inspired by one of the first public performative acts in Israeli cultural history. In 1936, under British mandate, the Habima Theatre in Tel Aviv staged an imaginary literary trial following the decision to present William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice in Hebrew for the very first time, which, due to its subject matter aroused strong protests. 

As a result of the performance, the local community - artists, intellectuals and concerned citizens - gathered to discuss the issue directly: Was it really necessary to perform The Merchant of Venice, "here, of all places, now, at any time"? 

The imaginary trial features defendants including William Shakespeare, the Habima Theatre and the original director, Professor Leopold Jessner, who had just fled Nazi Berlin to seek asylum.

The performance will take place in English and features a cast including Yazan Doubal, Clara Hertz, Rahel Jankowski, Konstantin Rommelfangen and Mö Sbiri.

Entry is free; however, reservation is required.

Ticket information is available at https://www.neimenster.lu/en/events/the-appeal-5/.