Israel Galván and Mohamed El Khatib Premiere "Israel et Mohamed" at Domaine d'O, Montpellier
From October 15 to 17, 2026, choreographer Israel Galván and theater creator Mohamed El Khatib will debut their duet "Israel et Mohamed" at Domaine d'O in Montpellier, followed by a series of performances. This work delves into themes of masculinity and societal expectations, inspired by a message from El Khatib's father. The minimalist set includes screens and meaningful props. El Khatib is dressed in a yellow T-shirt and blue shorts, while Galván incorporates football boots into his flamenco routine. The storyline touches on unfulfilled football dreams and alludes to faith and parental pressures. The tour will then proceed to Bucharest on October 23–24, 2026, and continue through various cities until March 2027.
Key facts
- "Israel et Mohamed" by Israel Galván and Mohamed El Khatib premieres October 15–17, 2026, at Domaine d'O, Montpellier.
- The work explores the artists' relationships with their fathers and patriarchal expectations.
- A recorded statement from El Khatib's father: "If you put your first name, Mohamed, next to that of Israel, I won't come to see the show."
- The set features four screens, two inverted L-shaped wooden supports on casters, and two orange chairs with the artists' names in yellow.
- El Khatib's costume includes a yellow T-shirt, blue shorts, white tennis socks, and sneakers; Galván performs in football boots fitted with irons.
- The narrative includes a father's anger over a tied first-place finish and El Khatib's later tearful leniency with his daughter.
- Symbolic objects include a prayer rug, competition medals, babouches, and a parrot given to a stuttering child.
- Tour dates: Bucharest (Oct 23–24, 2026), Prague (Nov 10–11, 2026), Bordeaux (Nov 24–28, 2026), Lyon (Dec 1–4, 2026), Angers (Dec 15–16, 2026), Nîmes (Dec 18–19, 2026), Seville (Mar 12–13, 2027), Barcelona (Mar 17–21, 2027).
Entities
Artists
- Israel Galván
- Mohamed El Khatib
- Victor Hugo
Institutions
- Domaine d'O
- Cloître des Carmes
- Centre Culturel de Bucarest
- TnBA
- Théâtre de la Croix-Rousse
- Crossroads Festival
- Le Quai
- Théâtre de Nîmes
- Teatro Central
- Teatro Lliure
- Inferno Magazine
Locations
- Montpellier
- France
- Bucharest
- Romania
- Prague
- Czech Republic
- Bordeaux
- Lyon
- Angers
- Nîmes
- Seville
- Spain
- Barcelona