Nissim Aloni

Nissim Aloni (1926-1998), one of Israel`s leading dramatists, was born in Tel Aviv. He fought in the 1948 War of Independence and then began publishing stories in the soldiers` weekly, Bamahaneh. Aloni studied history and French culture at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and then spent a year in Paris, where he became closely acquainted with the new European theater. His first play, Most Cruel the King, based on a biblical story, was produced by Habimah Theater in 1953. After his return from Paris, he wrote and directed The King`s New Clothes, which represented a total revolution in Israeli theater. In 1963, he founded the Seasons Theater, which was active for three years.
Aloni`s work was critically acclaimed and enjoyed a popular following. He wrote and staged 12 plays, and published one collection of short stories. His play, Eddy King, has also been adapted for the screen. Aloni was awarded, among others, the Bialik Prize (1983) and the Israel Prize for Theater (1996).

Books Published in Hebrew

The American Princess (play), Amikam, 1963; Yedioth Ahronoth, 2002 [Ha-Nesicha Ha-Amerikait]

Eddy King (play), University Publishing Projects/ Siman Kriah, 1975 [Eddy King]

The Owl (stories), Tarmil, 1975; Hakibbutz Hameuchad, 1981; Am Oved, 1996 [Ha-Yanshuf]; revised edition: Hakkibutz Hameuchad/ Siman Kriah, 2006 [Rutz Chayal Turki]

The Bride and the Butterfly Hunter (play), Hakibbutz Hameuchad/ Siman Kriah, 1980 [Ha-Kalah Ve-Tzayad Ha-Parparim]

Napoleon, Dead or Alive (play), Keter, 1993 [Napoleon Hai O Met]

Notes of an Alley Cat (non-fiction), Yedioth Aharonoth, 1996 [Reshimot Shel Hatul Rechov]

Most Cruel the King (play), Yedioth Ahronoth, 1997 [Achzar Mi-Col Ha-Melech]

Aunt Lisa (play), Yedioth Ahronoth,2000 [Doda Lisa]

Gypsies of Jaffa (play), Yedioth Ahronoth, 2000 [Ha-Tsoanim Shel Yaffo]

The King`s Clothes (play), Yedioth Ahronoth, 2004 [Bigdey Ha- Meleh]

Run, Soldier, Run (stories, new ed. of The Owl), Hakibbutz Hameuchad/ Siman Kriah, 2006 [Ruts, Hayal Turki]

Plays Performed

Most Cruel the King [Habimah-1953]

Like Anyone Else (Lucas the Coward)[Eshnav- 1959]

The King`s New Clothes [Habimah-1961]

The American Princess [Haonot-1963]

The Revolution and the Chicken [Cameri-1964]

The Bride and the Butterfly Hunter [Bimot-1967]

Aunt Lisa [Bimot-1969

Napoleon Dead or Alive [Bimot-1970]

Gypsies of Jaffa [Habimah-1971]

That Scapegoat [Cameri - 1973]

Eddy King [Habima-1975]

The Wild Deceased [Beit Lesin-1980]

Books in Translation

The American Princess
English: Tel Aviv, The Institute for the Translation of Hebrew Literature, 1980

Eddy King
French: Tel Aviv, The Institute for the Translation of Hebrew Literature, 1985

Manuscripts available (for publishers only) in translation
English:
The Owl
The Bride and the Butterfly Hunter

French:
The Bride and the Butterfly Hunter

Last updated: 3.2.2010