NETA News
In the end of the Festival, ardent director Andriy Zholdak brings a unique show in the “Grand Hall”
Electra, a staging of the National Theatre of Macedonia, is one of the one of the most anticipated plays in the 2015 NETA International Theatre Festival and will open Friday, on September 4 on the National Theatre of Bucharest’s Grand Hall stage.
Andriy Zholdak is the director of the play, once a “wonder child” of the Ukrainian directing community and one of the most appreciated European artists of nowadays. Distinguished with the UNESCO Award in 2004 for his contribution to the development of the theatrical art and with two “Golden Mask” awards in 2014, in Russia, the original Ukrainian artist with residence in Germany is either brilliant of terribly uncomfortable and has worked on many important European stages in Russia, Finland, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland. He is also well known for his theories on the renewal of the theatrical art, presented in international workshops and conferences.
This 3hrs and 30 minutes show is born out of a minimalistic text but which holds, complete, ravishing, the substance of antic tragedy.
“Zholdak resembles a meteorite which cracks and breaks the surface of a familiar text…,” said dramaturge George Banu in 2009. “He is not an advocate for traditions, but he does not set out with the intention to criticize. More likely, he uses them as raw material and does that with exceptional courage. It is this terrible clash and artistic expression that give birth to a true eruption.”
Andriy Zholdak’s “Electra” starts from the murder tragedy in a royal family, translated to the contemporary universe, with a clear intent to explore the theme of cruelty, deeply buried in the human subconscious.
“At some point in the history of our country, our family, or of any individual, the cruelty suddenly escapes control and transforms into a force that is controlling man, observes Zholdak. Nevertheless, how deep is human cruelty? And how could it be measured,” asks the provoking artist.
This play was granted four of the most important national awards in Macedonia during the 2014 theatrical year: The Award for the Best Play of the Year, The Award for the Best Director, and two acting awards, for Electra (Daria Rizova) and Oreste (Aleksandar Gorgieski).
