Hanoch Levin Israel

Hanoch Levin (1943-1999), one of Israel's leading dramatists, was born in Tel Aviv and studied philosophy and literature at Tel Aviv University. At first he wrote poetry, but later concentrated on the theater. He became resident playwright of the Cameri Theater in Tel Aviv and also worked with Habimah, Israel's national theater. Levin wrote fifty plays, thirty-four of which have been staged. His work includes comedies, tragedies, and satiric cabarets, most of which he directed himself. In addition, he published five books of short stories and poems, and a book for children. He received numerous theater awards both in Israel and abroad-most notably at the Edinburgh Festival-and his plays have been staged around the world. Levin was awarded the Bialik Prize in 1994.