'The Hoarder' Named Play of the Year at Golden Hedgehog Awards
The play 'The Hoarder' won Play of the Year at the Golden Hedgehog Awards in Jaffa, celebrating the best of Israeli independent and fringe theater.
The play "HaOgeret" (The Hoarder), written by and starring Sarah Sigal alongside Lior Pinsky, has won Play of the Year at the annual Golden Hedgehog Awards ceremony held on Friday at Hapatit Theater in Jaffa. The prestigious event celebrates Israeli fringe, independent, and public space theater, honoring outstanding creative achievements across multiple artistic categories.
"HaOgeret" triumphed by securing the top accolade alongside awards for directing and playwriting. The production draws inspiration from a true story about inheriting an apartment in Jerusalem, where the protagonist becomes trapped in an urban nightmare marked by a hoarder neighbor, severe odors, cockroaches, and an exhausting bureaucratic ordeal.
Another major winner of the evening was "Hai Shahor BaYaar" (Black Life in the Forest), written and directed by Orian Lipshitz, which collected four awards. These included best stage language, best ensemble work, best actress for Adili Liberman, and best costume design for Dina Conson. The plot follows a mysterious man in a hat who penetrates the theatrical world, forcing the director to confront her past and former identity.
The Triangular Theater production "Geva Lo Yachol Lehitahev" (Geva Cannot Fall in Love), written by Amir Zolter and directed by Rom Reznik, also achieved notable success. Tom Hodorov won best actor for his compelling performance, Tomer Barash took best supporting actor, and Amir Zolter was honored for playwriting. The story centers on a young Tel Aviv resident who relocates to Berlin following a breakup and the October 7 trauma, navigating romance through Grindr while grappling with his Israeli identity.
Additional winners included Elinor Weil as best supporting actress in "Shutfim LaNetzach" (Partners Forever), while Daniel Engel's object-performance piece "Bayit BeGaza" (A House in Gaza) won best solo show. Furthermore, the lifetime achievement award was presented to veteran theater artist Sinai Peter for his profound contributions to Israeli culture.
