Israel’s famous Habimah Theater, invited to participate in the “Nations’ Theater” Festival in Paris, will not play “The Diary of Anne Frank” as originally planned by the Paris theater management because French Festival officials fear the “Diary” might cause “ill feeling against the Germans,” it was learned here today.
The Paris Festival managers have imposed a ban on performances of the “Diary” not only against Habimah but also on German and American troupes which had scheduled performances. The Parisians have informed the Israelis that one of the goals of the festival is to aid better relations among nations and they fear the “Diary” might hinder that purpose.
Habimah will perform “The Dybbuk” and the Greek tragedy “Medea” in Paris. After the festival, Habimah expects to produce the “Diary” as well as “Anna Christie” and an Israeli play “Bearvot Hanegev” during a six week tour of Paris, Amsterdam and possibly Switzerland and England.
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