The celebrations marking the opening of the UNESCO Visitor Center, the Sali-Levi House, at the Old Jewish Cemetery continue: As part of the opening week (September 7–11), the audience can look forward to a very special evening of theater. In “Jews Undercover,” director and actor Stéphane Bittoun takes the audience on a journey through the stories of people who had to hide, change, or reinvent their identities.

In 1965, an Arab Jew, operating under a false identity, pulls off a spy coup in the highest echelons of the Syrian government. In 1895, a young woman disguises herself as a man to study the Talmud. And in 1945, Berlin’s most famous clown survives the concentration camp only by amusing the camp commander while disguised as a dog in a kennel.

Director and actor Stéphane Bittoun reads, acts out, and embodies these and many other stories—some of them true—weaving them into an evening exploring the often dangerous, sometimes playful game of identity. Whether for the sake of conformity, on a secret mission, or to escape persecution: going undercover is a principle of survival. 

“Bittoun changes costumes, imitates Barbara Streisand in ‘Yentl,’ comments on childhood photos with self-deprecating humor, and, as Adam Stein, becomes a dog. It’s sometimes funny, sometimes sad, but always moving.” (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung)

Stéphane Bittoun is accompanied musically by Peter Bongard on piano. Film clips enrich the evening, featuring, among others, Burt Lancaster, Rabbi Avichai Apel, and Columbo. 

“Jews Undercover”

Mainzer Kammerspiele, Malakoff Passage, Rheinstraße 4E, 55116 Mainz
Thursday, September 10, 2026, 8:00 p.m.
Doors open at the start of the performance
. Duration: approx. 120 minutes, including intermission
. Admission: 22 euros, reduced rate 12 euros
. Tickets are also available at the box office.

An event organized by the City of Mainz as part of the opening week of the Visitor Center and the SchUM Cultural Days.

More information / Tickets: www.mainzer-kammerspiele.de