By
Steve K Walz
1 min read
Three gifted artists have conceived a slick stage show in a warehouse in the port of Jaffa, combining an electic array of art disciplines, reflecting the rhythms and talents of each performer. Welcome to Mayumana mania!
For the past 15 years, Eylon Nuphar, Boaz Berman and Roy Ofer have been constantly tweaking and upgrading the Mayumana concept to keep it fresh and thought-provoking.
"It took us almost two years just to find the right individuals, including dancers, musicians and actors, which translated into more than 800 open auditions, luring talented performers from all over the world, including Israel, Curacao, Canada and America.
"It was important to build an international cast from the word go, because the goal was to take this show on the road, as well as playing before audiences in the metro Tel Aviv region," says Roy Ofer, producer of Mayumana.
"The secret to this show is that the troupe must know how to play to and with the audience. The show could actually change, based on the audience that is in the house. This is why our troupe must be multi-talented."
Mayumana, says Ofer, "is a unique show that it isn't easy to classify. It explores the subjects of rhythm, percussion and dance within the realm of time and technology.
"Time is our source of inspiration. What if we could freeze or even duplicate time? The performers must use their skills in this case to play among themselves, as well as members of the audience.
"We realised right away that Mayumana was more than a show, but a one-of-a-kind experience, which is why it plays so well to visiting tourists in Israel. There are no language barriers in this show."
With two companies (local and international) playing to audiences in Israel and abroad, more than 4 million people have experienced Mayumana mania during the past decade alone.
After their 15 years of hard work and on-going positive feedback, Ofer and his colleagues look back at their body of work within the realm of the show's main theme - time.
"For me, the 15 years feels like one long day," says Ofer.
"Between creating a unique show and turning a rundown warehouse in Jaffa into a trendy attraction, I think we all feel as if that we are still in our formative stages. It's as if we are still dealing with the first steps in a long-term project.
"We have already created a second show, with a different theme. All together, we are producing and directing 130 shows a year. Yes, it's a lot of hours and very hard work, but it's also good that we can entertain audiences in a unique way and still make a living out of it!"