Is an Abandoned Jerusalem Villa Better Off as a Fringe Theater?

Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
Crossposted from Haaretz
A few weeks from now, a new fringe theater center is slated to become home to a number of experimental groups now working in temporary spaces around the Jerusalem. The Jerusalem Theater Group, Psik and Incubator (the local branch of the Nisan Nativ Studio), will all use the new space.
The center will operate in the historic Mazya House, a beautiful urban villa located between Mordechai Eliash and Mesilat Yesharim streets near Nachlaot and the city center, which has recently undergone comprehensive renovation and preservation work.
The building has a considerable Jewish and Palestinian heritage and is characterized by fine period architecture, but over the years was left abandoned and neglected.
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