Following last year’s triumphant debut, tickets sold like hot cakes for the return of live Israeli theatre to St Albans Synagogue (February 2, 2026). This year, the Hasha’a Theatre Company brought double the drama with a two-hander, “Bound by Duty” , which once again was based on a true story. The hour-long play graphically told the story of two soldiers from the extremes of Israeli society—one religious, the other secular – who were paired together on a training course which would lead them to become IDF commanders. Their task was to navigate on foot as quickly as possible from one side of the country to the other, with only compasses and occasional instructions radioed from HQ to guide them. There was conflict from the word go, but despite initial disagreements turning into a physical fight, a twisted ankle, separating, losing their way, and then reconciling after one partner returned to help his injured comrade, the odd couple were surprised to discover that they were among those selected to go forward as IDF commanders —acknowledgement of how they had at the last successfully disregarded their differences and had instead joined forces to meet the challenges they faced in the course of their journey .
“Spellbinding” was how SAUS chair, Elissa Da Costa-Waldman, who introduced the event, described the show afterwards. “Excellent” and “outstanding” were among the comments from other members of the audience from all over Hertfordshire and north-west London who filled the St Albans shul hall. One special guest of honour was Matan Bar-Noi, head of the UK and Europe branch of the World Zionist Organisation, one of the principal sponsors of the Hasha’a company’s UK tour, who was visiting St Albans for the first time to see the play performed in English. Introducing the production to the audience, he pointed out that the theme of the programme, and of this play in particular—“Love Thy Neighbour As Thyself” – was especially appropriate in the week when the body of the last Israeli hostage had been returned from Gaza. “That was the finish of one chapter,” he said. “The next step of our journey is to try to ignore our differences and go forth and build bridges with our neighbours.”
11 February 2026