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Yiddish Theater in Europe Some of those previously involved in the Yiddish theater in Poland
decided to take the initiative, and in March 1946 they formed their own
group called the "Musikalischer Jidischer
Klajnkunst Teater" (MIKT). The Polish government and the MIKT troupe
clashed politically and ideologically, so the new theater troupe gathered
their belongings together and with help from the "Bericha," a Jewish
Zionist escape assistance organization, in the Spring of 1946,
managed to make their way to Munchen (Munich), Germany. When they
arrived in Munchen, they changed their name to the "Minchener Jidischer Klajnkunst Teater."
(The word "Minchener" represents the word "Munchen" in standard
German.) Here they performed nine different Yiddish plays to
appreciative audiences who yearned to hear words once again spoken
on the Yiddish stage. Most of these theatrical productions in the DP camps
were performed in
the "American Zone." Before the group arrived, the camp
had been entertained by amateur actors whose Yiddish material
consisted of songs and other material that had to be constructed by
memory, as much of what had been previously written and published
was lost during the war. However,
the MIKT had proven material at the ready. Not only did they perform
in the DP camps, they also performed
in large theatres such as the Prince Regent Theatre in Munchen. In
all it is said that the troupe performed for more than 400,000
people during their three years of existence. |
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