In 1969, Israeli journalist, lyricist, singer and later right-wing Knesset member Akiva Nof had a rare encounter with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, who were staying at the Hilton Hotel in Amsterdam for their “BED-IN” demonstration for world peace. Nof, in pajamas, got into bed with Lennon and Ono and recorded an interview in which they detailed their views on peace, the hippie movement, God, and love. The play “Double Fantasy” (named after John and Yoko’s album) is based on a reenactment of the interview, which takes place again in a hotel room bed. The royal couple is portrayed by David Maayan and Smadar Yaaron – former partners and creators with mythological status, essentially the John and Yoko of the Israeli fringe; together they founded the Acco Theater Center, focusing on Jewish-Arab cooperation, communal fostering of culture and critical examination of Israeli narratives and ideals. Maayan later on moved to live and work in Vienna, while Yaaron still creates in Acco and runs the theater. In this re-enactment, the young Akiva Nof is played by today’s Akiva Nof, now 89 years old.
During one hour, the past and present blend together. This time, the peace-and-love bed is more a war-and-peace bed, as Nof, an eloquent and adamant supporter of national and realistic values, clashes with Lennon-Maayan and Ono-Yaaron about their worldview. In a sense this Bed-In reflects today’s Israel and its ideological clashes. This is a historical-documentary reenactment, as well as a biographical flashback of David, Smadar and Akiva, returning to the young people they were in defining moments of their lives. John, Yoko, and Akiva converse (among themselves and with the audience) about the ideals of the Sixties in light of today’s Israeli and global reality, about right and left, about old age and death. The play is interwoven with original string arrangements of John, Yoko, and Akiva’s hits, and the audience is invited to join in the chorus.
Director: Yonatan Levy Actors: David Maayan, Smadar Yaaron, Akiva Nof Musical arrangement: Shawn Law Yone Gilad Musicians: Maayan Shasha, Hadar Ben Zvi, Aya Nemlich Producer: Shirly Marom Styling: Neta Zaid Sound: Jenya Loss Graphic design: Nadav Shalev Thank you Domus Metro Hotel for the hospitality
Yonatan Levy is a director, a prominent and unique voice in contemporary Israeli theater. Playwright and director, multidisciplinary artist, entrepreneur, teacher, and leader of the Mill theater group. His works have been staged in well-known venues and frameworks in Israel and around the world. Co-founder of the Waldorf Shaked High School, the Sheikh Abreik Festival for Civil Culture, and the Kama Flour Mill in Shaar HaAmakim. Author of the play books "The Police Series", “Malkitavas” and “Awake, Brothers”. Among his works: the opera “Les Mille Endormis” (Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, 2019), “Saddam Hussein - A
Mystery Play” (Acre Festival 2011, Theater der Welt 2014, Schaubühne F.I.N.D Festival 2014), “The General and the Sea” (Interdisciplinary Arena 2014), “Giants” (Israel Festival 2016),“The Little Prince” (Israel Festival 2017), “Kroy - Beyond Being and Nothingness” (2021), “Malkitavas” (2021), “Aharonchik - The Spy from Shaar HaAmakim” (2023), "A House in Gaza", "Hanussen - Hitler's Jewish Magician" & "Double Fantasy" (2025), "Rumpelstiltskin" (2026).
Teacher at the School of Visual Theater and Bait 9, Lives in Kiryat Tivon.
