“The Invaders’ Fear of Memories” is a theatre piece based on the life and diaries of Yosef Nachmani – a Russian Jew who migrated from Tsarist Russia to Ottoman Palestine in 1907. Nachmani became Director of the Jewish National Fund in the Galilee and subsequently played a central role in the ethnic cleansing of Palestine’s indigenous people. The play offers a perspective into the origins of settler-colonialism and apartheid in modern-day Israel, exploring themes of loyalty, violence, ideology, and grief.
The Invaders’ Fear of Memories is performed by Benjamin Rivers, the great grandson of Nachmani. Over the course of the play, Rivers performs 12 characters and sings in Arabic, Hebrew, Ukrainian, and Yiddish.
The production is directed by Linda Wise, an original member of the iconic Roy Hart Theatre Company.
Since August 2023, The Invaders’ Fear of Memories has been performed to audiences across four continents.
List of team and cast
Written and performed by Benjamin Rivers
Directed by Linda Wise
Running time: TBC
16+
Trigger warnings: At one point in the performance, the sound of machine gun fire is played.
Content warnings: *Contains themes and descriptions of political violence, including massacres, rape, and ethnic cleansing. These scenes may be distressing to some audience members. Viewer discretion is advised.
Age guidance: Recommended for mature audience.