News

The Box Office will be closed for the summer! Tickets for the opening performances of the 2026–2027 season can be purchased exclusively online through the bilet.ro platform. Starting August 24, 2026, the box office will reopen with its regular hours: Monday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Tuesday–Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. We wish you a wonderful summer and look forward to seeing you at our performances during the new 2026–2027 theater season!   Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu 

The Bucharest National Theater’s production, Any Other Candidates? a play-concert based on A Lost Letter by I.L. Caragiale, has been selected for the program of the 36th edition of the National Theater Festival, which will take place from October 16 to 25, 2026. The festival’s curatorial team—composed this year of theater critics Raluca Cîrciumaru, Alina Epîngeac, and Sebastian-Vlad Popa—has included the NTB production on an exclusive list of 36 titles that define the excellence and complexity of this year’s Romanian theater scene. The concert-performance Any Other Candidates?, whose concept, adaptation, music, and songs were created by the well-known artist Ada Milea, stands as undeniable proof of the creative strength of the show’s artistic team—a team that brings together actors Petre Ancuța, Emilian Mârnea, Florin Călbăjos, Laura Gabriela Oana, Aylin Cadîr, Tiberiu Enache, Natalia Călin, Emilia Popescu, Mihai Munteniță, Silviu Biriș, Vitalie Bichir, Alina Petrică, and Florentina Țilea. The creative team is rounded out by Anca Hanu (co-writer of the songs, alongside Ada Milea), set designer Maria Constantin, and choreographer Florin Fieroiu, with sound design by Victor Pamfilov and lighting design by Daniel Tiuntiuc. The concert-performance was produced at the National Theater’s “Ion Sava” Center for Theater Research and Creation. In this production—which, incidentally, kicked off the current summer season at the NTB Amphitheater—Ada Milea’s inventiveness meets Caragiale’s genius and the Bucharest National Theater actors’ enthusiasm for the craft, in 70 effervescent and humorous minutes. Met with enthusiastic applause from the audience, "Any Other Candidates?" is a production that has stood out for its originality and the bold way it connects classic satire with current events. Starting with the new season—which opens on September 5, 2026—NTB will present the performance "Any Other Candidates?" in the Pictură Hall. In order to welcome the audience, tickets will go on sale online at www.tnb.ro starting July 10, 2026.   Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu 

The “I.L. Caragiale” National Theater in Bucharest (NTB) is wrapping up its 2025–2026 theater season. Beyond the artistic excitement, this season marks the beginning of an institutional restructuring, as Ada Hausvater, the winner of the project competition organized by the Ministry of Culture, takes over as artistic director. The past ten months have been marked by the premieres of the 2025–2026 season: Nothing is by Chance, written and directed by David Schwartz (September 19, 2025), No Magic Pill by Christian O’Reilly, directed by Laurențiu Rusescu (December 13, 2025), Of People, Doctors, and Rhinoceroses adapted by Claudiu Goga from Arthur Schnitzler, directed by Claudiu Goga (March 13, 2026), The Bride's Time and Her Gown, written and directed by Gavril Pătru (April 18, 2026), Yen by Anna Jordan, directed by Ciprian Chiricheș (April 19, 2026) and, last but not least, the premiere of the concert-performance Any Other Candidates?, created by Ada Milea, at the Open-Air Amphitheater (June 24, 2026), an event that kicked off the summer program on the NTB rooftop, with the NTB’s summer season set to take shape soon. The National Theater of Bucharest’s performance of Mary Stuart by Robert Icke, based on Friedrich Schiller and directed by Andrei Șerban, at the opening of the 7th edition of the Kielce International Theater Festival in Poland, as part of the 13th edition of the prestigious MITEM (Madách International Theater Meeting) in Budapest, and also as part of the National Theater Festival, represent key moments of the season that has just concluded. NTB’s decision to develop an artistic research component took shape through workshops led by actor Răzvan Oprea, choreographer Judith State, casting director Domnica Cârciumaru, director Ada Milea, theater scholar Oana Borș, as well as through a series of staged readings resulting from the Playwriting Workshop coordinated by Mimi Brănescu. This special project focused on identifying, developing, and presenting to the public texts by playwrights of the new wave, as well as on testing their works through performance. Finally, the NTB’s openness to the public and its desire to create diverse artistic experiences were reflected in its visual identity projects and in the 15 exhibitions hosted in the theater’s lobbies throughout the season. This spring brought a breath of fresh air to NTB. Ada Hausvater—NTB’s first full-term manager following an interim period that lasted nearly five years—began her tenure on May 1, 2026, with a mandate dedicated to transforming the NTB into a hub of creative excellence, reaffirming its status as the country’s premier theater and a beacon of European culture and civilization. Ada Hausvater’s recent initiative to appoint director Andrei Șerban as honorary director of the NTB is a clear signal that the doors of NTB are open to excellence, human generosity, and uncompromising performance. NTB will remain active in the coming period as well: with the opening, on September 5, 2026, of the new season—a season currently being organized — the National Theater of Bucharest aims to create a rich theatrical program for its audience, supported by a series of new cultural and artistic initiatives and memorable encounters with leading figures in Romanian and international theater.   Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu

The evening of June 24, 2026, marked a unique premiere for the “I.L. Caragiale” National Theater in Bucharest. The NTB Amphitheater, the cultural space located on the building’s rooftop, hosted—for the first time since its opening—the premiere of a play: Any Other Candidates?, directed by Ada Milea. In an atmosphere cooled by a summer rain, under the open sky of the Bucharest, the audience warmly welcomed the production; the show concluded with minutes of sustained applause and an energy that confirmed, once again, the success of the unique musical-concert format that Ada Milea offers her loyal audience. Last night’s event marked the first time the NTB Amphitheater has hosted an official premiere, transforming the theater’s rooftop into a premier cultural destination for the summer season. It is important to note that this series of outdoor performances serves as an exceptional preview; starting this fall, the show “Any Other Candidates?”—which has already been added to the NTB’s official repertoire—will be staged in the established venue of the Pictură Hall. “Any Other Candidates?” is a concert-performance produced by the “Ion Sava” Center for Theater Research and Creation, inspired by I.L. Caragiale’s masterpiece, “A Lost Letter.” This adaptation is a musical tale of love, self-interest, politics, and blackmail, transforming the classic text into a lively, comical, and cynical concert about us in Caragiale’s world. The concept, adaptation, and music of the show bear the unmistakable signature of Ada Milea, who collaborated with Anca Hanu on the songs. The production team also includes Maria Constantin (set design), Florin Fieroiu (choreography), Victor Pamfilov (sound design), Adrian Scarlat and Marian Dan Găină (sound design assistants), Daniel Tiuntiuc (lighting design), Theodor Radu (technical direction), and Cristiana Gavrilă (coordinator). The cast of the play is remarkable: it brings together Petre Ancuța, Emilian Mârnea, and Florin Călbăjos in the parts of the Drunk Citizens; Mihai Munteniță and Silviu Biriș alternate in the part of the Governor; Oana Laura Gabriela and Aylin Cadîr play Zoe Trahanache; Vitalie Bichir plays the part of Zaharia Trahanache; Tiberiu Enache is Ghiță; Alina Petrică and Oana Laura Gabriela take turns playing the part of Mrs. Cațavencu; Natalia Călin is Mrs. Brânzovenescu; Florentina Țilea is Mrs. Farfuridi, while the part of Mrs. Dandanache is played by Emilia Popescu. The production stands out for its dynamic energy, sustained by the entire cast, with each actor contributing skillfully and emotionally to the performance’s energy and brisk pace. A central element of the musical composition is the presence of the three actors—Petre Ancuța, Emilian Mârnea, and Florin Călbăjos—who, just as in the beloved production “ActOrchestra,” play musical instruments live, harmoniously supporting the entire soundscape created by Ada Milea. Alongside them, the cast rounds out this musical-concert format with a vibrant and versatile stage performance. “Any Other Candidates?” is not just a show, but a true display of artistic talent—a musical carousel in which subtle humor intertwines with the cynicism of political situations, all served up at a dizzying pace. Thus, the “mirror” held up to the audience by the talented NTB actors is truly impressive. The NTB Amphitheater has quickly become one of Bucharest’s most beloved cultural venues, offering a unique experience in the heart of the city. Located on the building’s rooftop, with a capacity of 300 seats, the space functions as a veritable “oasis” of culture high above the city. Designed to offer intimacy as well as a direct connection to the city’s energy, the Amphitheater hosts a diverse summer season of performances, concerts, and film screenings, transforming a visit to the NTB into a complete experience, suspended between the sky and Bucharest’s historic buildings. Photography Florin Ghioca   Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu 

Ada Hausvater, General Director of the “I.L. Caragiale” National Theater in Bucharest, is implementing a fundamental strategic direction of her management plan: the principle of recognizing and integrating major artistic and human milestones. To this end, with the full support of the Ministry of Culture, renowned director Andrei Șerban has been appointed Honorary Director of the NTB. This decision reflects the vision Ada Hausvater has for the country’s premier theater: the evolution of NTB as a center of excellence that recognizes and cherishes its values at the highest level. The initiative was fully aligned with the vision of the Ministry of Culture, which supported the decision, recognizing the cultural significance of this move. The awarding of this honorary title to director Andrei Șerban reaffirms the place that NTB and Romanian theater occupy in the history of world theater. NTB General Director Ada Hausvater elaborated on the principle underlying this project: “A national theater develops through the memory and recognition of its own values. My management plan is based on this principle: we have the opportunity to bring together the people who are leading Romanian theater toward universality. The appointment of Andrei Șerban is a clear signal that the NTB’s doors are open to excellence, human generosity, and uncompromising performance. “I would like to thank the Ministry of Culture for its openness; it promptly supported this initiative, confirming the importance of this moment.” For his part, director Andrei Șerban emphasized the coherence of this shared vision: “I assume that the initiative by the manager and the minister to confer upon me the title of Honorary Director is based on recognition of the National Theater’s achievements during my three years as director, which began in 1990—years during which, despite immense difficulties, a mini-cultural revolution took place, enabling the country’s premier theater to live up to its name. The Greek Trilogy sparked a collective energy as vibrant as the tumultuous life on the streets in those days, and, together with the productions that followed, paved the way for a new, bold, daring, and vibrant theater. Above all, vibrant, with an upward aspiration toward this essential word: Quality. Artistic quality, impossible without human quality. This symbolic title confers upon me no rights, obligations, or benefits. I thank the manager and the minister, and I accept it with joy and with the hope that, by evoking the effervescence I inspired while at the helm of the NTB, the living spirit of those years will be reawakened under Ada Hausvater’s leadership.”   Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu 

  A Spotlight on Romanian Drama at the National Theater Festival The 36th edition of the National Theater Festival, which will take place in Bucharest from October 16 to 25, 2026, announces the launch of the fifth edition of the playwriting competition. By July 10, 2026, playwrights are invited to submit two scenes (maximum 10 pages) from a play they will later develop for one of the project’s partner theaters, along with a brief narrative biography (maximum half a page), to dramaturgie@fnt.ro. Three Romanian plays will be presented as staged readings at this year’s edition of the National Theater Festival. During the 2026–2027 season, the plays will be staged at three theaters: the “I.L. Caragiale” National Theater in Bucharest, the “Mihai Eminescu” National Theater in Timișoara, and the “Vasile Alecsandri” National Theater in Iași. The text selection committee consists of Cristiana Gavrilă—a theater scholar and artistic consultant at the “Ion Sava” Center for Theater Research and Creation (representing the “I.L. Caragiale” National Theater in Bucharest), director and playwright Radu Iacoban (representing the “Mihai Eminescu” National Theater in Timișoara), and director Ovidiu Lazăr (representing the “Vasile Alecsandri” National Theater in Iași). The program coordinators are Mihaela Michailov (author, performing arts critic, and co-curator of the FNT’s staged reading program) and Bobi Pricop (director, artistic director of the “Regina Maria” Theater in Oradea, and co-curator and organizer of the FNT’s staged reading module). The areas of focus for the three partner theaters, which have undertaken to stage the plays, are: - Urban alienation, mechanisms of information manipulation, persuasion, and control in new communication technologies, the individual at the center of today’s digital ecosystem—addictions and vulnerabilities; - Idealism and Realism in the 21st Century; AI: Friend or Foe?; Generations—Connections, Affinities, and Divisions; Social Media: Communication and Non-Communication; Fast-Paced Life in Major Cities (Bucharest, Iași, Timișoara); Excesses, Vices, and Addictions in the 21st Century. How do we save ourselves?; Hope in times of war. - Specific issues facing younger generations. Three plays written by Anamaria Feraru, Alex Gorghe, and Alexandru Ivănoiu have been selected for the 2025 edition of the National Theater Festival; these plays will be presented as staged readings. The MASCA Theater in Bucharest will stage Alex Gorghe’s play by the end of December 2026. The “Fani Tardini” Drama Theater in Galați will stage Alexandru Ivănoiu’s text at the end of 2026, and the “Regina Maria” Theater in Oradea will stage the play written by Anamaria Feraru in 2027. In 2026, the staged reading module will focus primarily on Romanian texts. The main objective of this module is to create an environment for exploration and creation that showcases new voices in playwriting and works that address themes and topics representative of today’s realities. A new feature of this year’s edition is the partnership with the three national theaters. The selected texts will enter a development phase, during which playwrights will have the opportunity to work alongside directors and the acting companies of the partner theaters to develop the concept and content of the plays. We are continuing the partnership initiated in 2022 with www.liternet.ro through the subsequent online publication of the texts, thereby offering another avenue for support and visibility. The Contest Schedule:July 10: the submission deadline (two scenes from a play that the authors will write and later develop for the partner theaters—maximum 10 pages—and a brief narrative biography—maximum half a page), to the email address dramaturgie@fnt.ro.July 23: announcement of the winning entriesJuly 23 - 26: online meetings with the teams from partner theatersSeptember 5 - 25: initial reviews of the draft textsOctober 16 - 25: the presentation of the texts in the form of staged readings at FNT36.   Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu 

Starting May 25, 2026, the “I.L. Caragiale” National Theater in Bucharest is launching TNB Activ, its official WhatsApp channel for theatergoers. TNB Activ is a direct information channel through which the public receives quick updates on premieres, performances, and tours; stays up to date in real time on tickets going on sale and special events; and learns everything about upcoming projects and meet-and-greets with their favorite artists. This makes communication simpler, more personal, and more efficient—only relevant information, delivered directly to the audience’s phones. By launching this channel, TNB aims to be closer to its community and provide quick access to everything happening on the theater’s stages. Subscription is free, and viewers can unsubscribe at any time. TNB Activ – information reaches viewers directly from the stage. Subscription link: TNB Activ   Or QR code below                                     Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu 

The “I.L. Caragiale” National Theater in Bucharest announces a new premiere as part of the 9G Program at NTB, dedicated to young independent artists: “Yen” by Anna Jordan, directed by Ciprian Chiricheș, with set design by Maria Constantin, and starring Teodora Antal, Diana Pomparău, Sevi Stan, and Mario Monțescu. The premiere will take place on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., in the Sala Mică Hall The play Yen tells the story—at times brutal, at times deeply tender—of two brothers surviving almost entirely on their own in a suburb, with a mother unable to provide them with the care a child needs. Together, amid arguments and violence, the two teenagers try to discover what affection—and first love—feels like and how to express it, in the absence of a parental role model. Thus, first love becomes a tough test, full of innocence and missteps. How much of our social skills are innate, and how much are acquired through our environment and the education we receive? It is a long-debated dilemma that remains relevant today, which author Anna Jordan explores with harshness and directness, yet with care and sensitivity toward her characters. Yen is about growing up, about family, and, above all, about the fundamental human need to love and be loved. „What won me over from the very first reading was the sincerity with which life—and, in particular, hope—is portrayed. In real life, things aren’t like in fairy tales, where Prince Charming appears out of nowhere and sets everything right. In reality, we often long for something we cannot have, and then that feeling becomes even stronger; this sentiment is very well conveyed by the author.  The production that we put together with the team is based on desire and hope. I hope it’s contagious and that the audience leaves, just as I like to leave the theater—changed, pensive, with my thoughts on my loved ones.” Ciprian Chiricheș, the director of the production Anna Jordan is a renowned British playwright, director, and screenwriter. She graduated from the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Arts (LAMDA) with a degree in acting and is a professor of acting. For her play “Yen,” she won the prestigious Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting (2013) Cast: Sevastian Stan, Mario Monțescu, Teodora Antal, Diana Pomparău. Regie Ciprian Chiricheș, set design Maria Constantin, sound design Teodor Zamfir and llighting design Cristian Ciopată. This performance is not recommended for children under 14.   Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu 

The “I.L. Caragiale” National Theater in Bucharest will present, starting April 3, 2026, the premiere of “The Bride's Time and Her Gown″ (The Wedding) by Gavril Pătru, a new chapter in the theatrical universeinaugurated by the success of “Ghosts and Dandelions.” The second part of the upcoming “Oltenia trilogy,” the play continues the story of the characters from a contemporary Oltenian village, in a recognizable blend of humor, drama, and authenticity. Created by Gavril Pătru—who serves as writer, director, and actor—the new play offers a glimpse into a world where tradition and inner conflict coexist, and laughter and tension intertwine naturally. This time, the action revolves around a wedding—a seemingly festive setting that becomes the backdrop for an avalanche of tragicomic events. Amidst the musicians, stuffed cabbage rolls, and zaibăr, uncomfortable truths surface, appearances crumble, and hidden dramas are revealed. Nothing is what it seems, and the masks fall one by one, in a universe where even those who do not speak end up saying it all. Dynamic “like the rush of a sârba” and, at the same time, profound “like a doina,” the new play by Gavril Pătru offers an intense theatrical experience, where laughter and emotion converge in a story about family, identity, and truth. “The Bride’s Watch and Shirt” preserves the distinctive language and atmosphere of the Oltenia region that established Gavril Pătru’s reputation, shaping a vivid world, full of color and expressive power. The play can be viewed independently, yet it stands in direct dialogue with “Ghosts and Dandelions” developing the same destinies and delving deeper into the themes already explored. The cast features actors from the National Theater of Bucharest, in a lineup that supports the show’s brisk pace and energy: Costina Cheyrouze, Raluca Petra, Ileana Olteanu, Petre Ancuța / Ciprian Nicula, Gavril Pătru, Alexandra Sălceanu / Teodora Calagiu, Maia Morgenstern / Victoria Dicu, Silviu Biriș. On April 2 and 3, 2026, at 8:30 p.m., in the lobby of the Pictura Hall, immediately following the preview performances of the play, there will be a book launch for “Ceasu’ și cămașa miresii” (The Bride's Time and Her Gown) by Gavril Pătru, a special event that complements the theatrical universe of the play of the same name. The book brings to life the same recognizable world created by Gavril Pătru: a vibrant Oltenian village, full of humor, tension, and poetry, where the characters’ destinies intertwine between tradition and contemporary reality. The audience will have the opportunity to meet the author, discover the behind-the-scenes of the creative process, and get autographs. The official premiere of the production will take place on April 18 and 19, 2026, at the Pictura Hall; the production is already scheduled in the NTB’s current repertoire for April 8 and 9 and May 9, 2026.   Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu 

On the occasion of World Theatre Day, on March 27, 2025, the Bucharest National Theatre invites you to a new series of Podcasts of the Bucharest National Theatre. Beloved actors, who you often see on the TNB's stages, chat with the theater's artistic director, Marius Bodochi, about theater and life. Podcasts of the National Theater Bucharest can be watched on NTB's youtube channel TNB-TV. To subscribe to the TNB-TV channel, which gives you the opportunity to quickly learn about our programs online, you can use the following link: The first episode of the new series Podcasts of the Bucharest National Theatre, will be available on TNB-TV, premiering on March 27, at 21:00.   The audio podcast can be listened to on youtube music (formerly google podcast) and on the redcircle and spotify platforms   All the episodes are available here.   Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu