CIS News

The contest organized by the Ion Sava Center for Theatrical Research and Creation within the "I. L. Caragiale" National Theatre for the ending of the unfinished play The Island by Mihail Sebastian registered 44 of texts. Following the reading of these endings, the jury consisting of Marina Constantinescu, Cristiana Gavrilă and Andrei Marinescu has retained in the final shortlist the following 5 texts:   1. Motto: "Do not console yourself with the thought that the times are unfair. Their moral injustice does not make us more righteous, their dogness is not enough because they can not accept people, we can already count ourselves. "(Boris Pasternak) - author Ruxandra Tuchel 2. Motto:" Where is this island if not in ourselves? "(Octavian Paler) - author Andreea Nanu 3. Motto:" For two thousand years "- author Radu Macrinici 4. Statement: "A fixed idea is a closed universe "(Mihail Sebastian) - author Laura- Georgiana Dimbu 5. Motto: (Anti-passivity) "What's the point of my vote !? With him, without him, it’s the same ... Oh, my God, but myriads of sand splinters, entwined, confer overwhelming power to the wasteland. Myriads of water droplets engage to bring forth the width and depth of world oceans. Likewise, my vote, with yours, with hundreds of thousands, millions give power to change for good. Try, come out, be brave! "- author Daniel Tei The text signed by Ruxandra Tuchel was declared winner. The prize is worth 2000 Euros. Also, the winning text will be the subject of a theater laboratory at the Ion Sava Center for Theatrical Research and Creation in the 2018-2019 season.   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

The „Ion Sava” Centre for Theatrical Research and Creation within the „I.L. Caragiale” National Theatre announces a dramaturgy contest for the unfinished play of Mihail Sebastian, The Island* (the text can be downloaded in pdf format from www.tnb.ro). The interested ones must propose a continuation of the two acts written by the author. The award for the winning text (ending of the play) amounts to 2000 euros. Furthermore, it shall become a part of a show enacted in the 2018 – 2019 season, on one of the stages of the National Theatre of Bucharest. The recording of the texts shall be performed in “motto” system, appearing on the first page of each text, the same motto being also noted on a separate sealed envelope, containing the author’s personal data. Plays in electronic format are accepted (saved on a CD). The CD containing the play registered in the contest shall be accompanied by a sealed envelope featuring the author’s identification data.                                              The texts can be sent to the address: „I.L. Caragiale” National Theatre of Bucharest 2 Nicolae Bălcescu Blvd., postal code 010051, district 1, Bucharest, until 30th September 2018, with the remark Dramaturgy contest!   Document in romanian: Insula, actul I   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

On Wednesday, 13th June 2018, 7:00 p.m., the Small Hall of the National Theatre hosts the first representation of the show Improvisation by Eugène Ionesco, bachelor’s degree exam of the Academy of Theatrical Arts and Cinematography 2017 (Best Show Award, Graduate Gala, 2017). Welcoming young theatre creators, NTB in partnership with UNATC presents a series of shows created by students. „Improvisation is a play where I attempt to imitate Moliere, being, at the same time, a criticism of some critics. I reproach to critics dogmatism, not understanding art, their refusal to understand theatre. The critics I enact in this play are militant critics. If the harm people inflict upon each other changes its appearance, its profound nature remains the same. I have written to ask myself about this issue, about this mystery.” Eugène Ionesco “Far from being a pretentious discussion on philosophy and theatre, it is a still topical parable about society who does not want you different, but brainwashed, wants you to think and live according to its dictates. And most of the times, society wins. This is the nightmare of the world we live in and this has also been the nightmare of Eugene Ionesco. The show wants to be a sign of alarm, pulled for us all (regardless whether we are artists or corporatists), who must ask ourselves whether we ever stopped telling our truth and why we have started preaching the one of others.” Andreea Ciocîrlan (director)                    — Where? — In Ionesco’s study. — When? — In a dream of Ionesco. — Who? — Three critics in search for an author, an author on the quest of freedom of expression and a maid searching for normality. — What? — A discussion on theatre and philosophy culminating with the author’s manipulation by the critics. — Why? — To become aware of what awaits us if we want to be like butterflies… free.   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

  By meeting the needs of young theatre creators, NTB in partnership with UNATC, presents a series of shows created by students. On Saturday, 5th May 2018, 7:00 p.m., the Media Hall of the ”I.L. Caragiale” National Theatre of Bucharest shall host the first representation of the show The Tragedy of Man, Master’s degree exam 2017 within the framework of the „I. L. Caragiale” Academy of Theatrical Arts and Cinematography of Bucharest. The Tragedy of Man is a ritual of initiation conducted by Lucifer. After the expulsion from Heaven, the fallen angel guides the first pair of human beings, Adam and Eve, on a journey through time and space, aiming at the enlightenment of the two in the end. Thus, in Egypt, Man learns that the abuse of power causes suffering, in Rome – that pleasure without love is like the pest, in Byzantium – that faith which kills in the name of God is a lie, in Prague – that superior knowledge used only for individual force darkens the mind. In Chaos, death can be defeated through love. The Tragedy of Man truly presents a cycle of falls, a graveyard of shattered kingdoms. It is not by chance that Lucifer only unveils the ages of decline of the great Empires. Despite all atrocities from history, man owns the supreme weapon – Freedom – to change, to search, to Choose. “The Tragedy of Man" is a show about Freedom. It presents a world in which God is silent, Lucifer rules over time, History is an illusion and man, a tormented being who tries to rebuild a Paradise Lost having a single weapon – Free Will”. Diana Mititelu Thesis show coordinated by Alexandru Darie (M.A. professor for Theatre Direction), Ștefan Caragiu (M.A. professor Scenography) and Vladimir Anton (associate professor).   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

The “I.L. Caragiale” National Theatre of Bucharest, through the “Ion Sava” Centre for Theatre Research and Creation, is launching the fifth edition of the 9G programme at NTB (New Generation), dedicated to young playwrights, graduates of relevant faculties, aged 35 or under, who are not employed in theatre institutions. The programme has been launched in January 2014, while 19 projects have been selected to date, 15 of which are included in the permanent repertoire of the Small Hall, within the 9G Season at NTB. 9G at NTB takes place in the Small Hall, space exclusively intended for young artists. 9G at NTB. Procedure: - The “I.L. Caragiale” National Theatre of Bucharest and the “Ion Sava” Centre for Theatre Research and Creation provide the premises for the preparation of the show, in the Small Hall or one of the rehearsal halls of the theatre, for a period of three weeks (of which one week on the stage of the Small Hall). Depending on the theatre’s rehearsal schedule and the availability of halls (rehearsal halls, foyers etc.) or the complexity of the proposed project, the time necessary for the preparation of the show can be prolonged. - NTB provides the technical facilities of the Small Hall, the costume stock, the scenery stock, the props, the theatre’s workshops, without making any additional investment in connection with the production of the show, but also the theatre’s logistical support and counselling. - The shows resulting from the selected projects shall have 3 free representations, with free entrance, without payment of copyright or related fees. - Following the performances with audience, and with the consent of the NTB artistic board, the show can be included in a season (with the possibility of contract prolongation) in the repertoire of the Small Hall, in the 9G Season at NTB, requiring minimal investments in production and payment of copyrights, according to the recipe of the representation, payment collection and promotion. Terms of participation in the project pre-selection: - The team proposing the project must consist of independent artists, graduates of relevant faculties, aged 35 or under. - There is no type of requirement or restriction related to the enlisted texts (classical and contemporary dramaturgy) or to the kind of proposed aesthetics, but the show concept focused on the art of the actor represents an advantage. Projects shall be sent per e-mail to the address: 9glatnb2018@gmail.com. They shall comprise (according to the attached form): the directorial concept of the show (maximum 2 pages); the cast, and the resumes of the team members. (Links with recordings of previous shows of the team members may be added or recorded performances can be sent as transfers). Furthermore, the technical requirements of the project shall be listed in detail. The play, the adaptation for the stage, the script (any text underlying the project) must be attached in a separate document. - The space of the Small Hall shall be used according to the attached outline (Italian stage).   Projects shall be enlisted starting from 18th April 2018 until 12th May 2018, whereas by mid-May (the date shall be set according to the number of registered projects), the shortlisted titles and teams shall be announced. Following a discussion with the teams, the projects shall be selected which shall go into rehearsals in the first stage of the 9G programme (according to the regulation). Documents in romanian: Fisa de inscriere 9G - 2018 Sala Mica - schita      

  1. Scenery by Iulia Grigoriu Directed by: Iulia Grigoriu Choreography: Ștefan Lupu Musical composition: Ciprian Brașoveanu Cast: Codrin Andrei Boldea / Matei Arvunescu        Aida Economu / Theodora Sandu   2. References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot by José Rivera Directed by: Răzvan Enciu Stage design: Cilem M. Tűrkȍz Cast: Denis Hanganu, Andrei Radu / Răzvan Enciu, Cristina Juncu, Vlad Furtună, Andrei Redinciuc, Carla Mihai   3. Big Job by Philipp Löhle Directed by: Olivia Grecea Stage design: Elena Gheorghe Cast: Miruna Bilei, Idris Cristian Clate, Dumitru Georgescu, Ana Nicolae, Lia Sinchevici   4. Super OK by Mircea Moroianu Directed by: Alexandros Raptis Choreography: Andreea Ioana Belu Music: Andrei Raicu Video: Vlad Lăzărescu Cast: Alex Călin, Ana Udroiu / Ioana Florentina Manciu, Eduard Cîrlan   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

War, a new show within the 9G Programme at NTB, shall have its first representations in the Small Hall of the National Theatre of Bucharest on the days of 27th May, 11th and 18th June, from 8:00 p.m. Swedish playwright Lars Noren depicts the scenery at the end of a war, without specifying the time or place, making echoes of remote wars heard, but also the echoes of the recently concluded ones, or of the ones happening right next to us. A man returns home from a war, when nobody thought he was still alive. He finds a devastated family, a ravaged world, a spouse who no longer accepts him, a brother who betrayed him. The characters constantly waver between two worlds: the real one, where poverty and the despair to survive generates lack of compassion even towards members of the same family, and the imagined one, conceived as a refuge only filled with joy and prosperity. ”Who wants us ?”- a question like an echo in this text and a desperate scream which is now heard from the ones risking their lives to escape war. Other people’s war, bearing with it deep traces and mutilating loves, families, trust, hope. Semira, the 12-year-old girl, objectifies this fantastic world through the image of the Disneyland entertainment park, realm of fairytales, of princesses and of glittering castles. Her force to believe in a fantastic place of happiness is the hope giving meaning to life and moving the world forward. „End of war scenery.     The First World War, the Second World War, Algeria, Vietnam, Rwanda, Bosnia, Chechnya, Iraq, Syria… How is the return to the normality of life still possible, after its destruction has been attempted? Can the traumas left behind by fear, humiliation, hatred, the perpetual presence of death be healed, in order to live as before? How can the hope for the future be regained?” Lorena Zăbrăuțanu   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

Love and Information, after Caryl Churchill, a new show within the 9G Programme at NTB, shall celebrate its first representation in the Small Hall of the National Theatre of Bucharest on 16th May and 3rd June 2017, from 8.00 p.m. The text chosen by director Irina Crăiță-Mândră represents a first release on the Romanian stages, bringing to the forefront one of the most innovative voices of British dramaturgy - Caryl Churchill. The show is building – like a puzzle – the image of the anguishing and uncertain world which we inhabit. The social “landscape”, apparently extremely captivating, actually questions two essential aspects defining human nature: the need to know and the need to love. The cybernetic assault to which we are subjected systematically has irreparable consequences on memory, the senses and human relationships. The speed of communication thus becomes much more important when we talk about people’s capacity to connect. Love and Information takes the pulse of a world in a perpetual exchange of information and especially immortalises the changes these things inflict upon man. Situations are fragmented as life itself that we live, and the relationships are pushed to the edge of the absurd. The show is a theatrical installation spectacularly blending theatre with elements of performance art, dance and video art. Love and Information imagines a mind-boggling world which never quenches its thirst to know as many things as possible, but which loses sight of the essence. We must learn to master this technology invading us from all directions, not be enslaved by it.

Placebo (D)Effect, one of the successful shows of the 9G at NTB Programme (dedicated to young theatre creators) shall have 2 representations in Cluj, in the opening of a new project of the Hungarian State Theatre, Shortcut. Through Shortcut, the Hungarian State Theatre of Cluj aims at inviting to Cluj a series of shows signed by young directors and/or teams of young creators. The curator of the Shortcut Programme is theatre critic Cristina Modreanu, who shall select for the stage of the Hungarian Theatre the most interesting directorial voices or creation teams of Romania. The show Placebo (D)Effect has been created within the second edition of the 9G at NTB Programme, when a group of young graduates of the Theatre Faculty of Cluj (class of Miklós Bács) were proposing a brave and unusual idea, risky and captivating at the same time. Coordinated by actor Ştefan Lupu, according to the formula work in progress, the project was concluded with a show born from improvisation. Placebo (D)Effect is a vivid show, engaging, challenging, about the artificiality of the world we inhabit, about the loneliness caused by excessive communication, about the humanity within ourselves and the peril of technological upgrade. About the things we have forgotten or have replaced with technology, about the fear to return to real life, because the virtual one has become more satisfying. Placebo (D)Effect is a show with guaranteed therapeutic effect. Because both laughter and emotion, but also the stories sincerely narrated, dancing and especially music belong to our human identity. A show reminding us of how important real life is. Details about the Show   On Sunday, 30 April 2017, from 5.00 p.m. and 8.00 p.m., Studio Hall, Hungarian State Theatre Cluj The representations shall have English subtitles! After the 8.00 p.m. representation, a debate with the audience shall ensue. Tickets can be purchased online from the website www.biletmaster.ro and from the Theatre box office (Monday to Friday, from 10.00-14.00 and 1h 30’ before the show).   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

Do you love me? A romantic horror. Musical. A show challenging the imagination to conceive love in its most hidden meanings, to transgress the border between literature and life, between life and death, between the seen and the unseen, between reality and desire. A show about the loves that do not know death, although they did not enjoy life. A musical puzzle doubled by theatrical images from famous love stories, stolen from literature and brought to life, in an experiment tackling several artistic styles, following the relationship between book and music. The show brings us closer to classical legends, reinvented and rediscovered in the contemporary world through music. A show about the unknown in us, about the hidden monster in each of us, about the cruelty and loneliness within us, about what we would be capable of doing in order to achieve love, about human beings and their souls. In a world in which neither literature, nor love can find their space and breath, Do you love me? brings in front of the audience novelistic stories, so powerful, that they pervaded contemporary consciousness through the music of Sting, Jay-Jay Johanson and Annie Lennox. A show inspired by books and by music. A 9G show at NTB. The show is not recommended for people under 15! Premiere: 8 March 2017, 8.00 p.m., Small Hall “Do you love me? A romantic horror. A show/theatrical and musical concept about love which survives death. Reinterpreted literary characters have pervaded contemporary culture and through music, famous artists have dedicated them songs which became hits. Heathcliff and Catherine, Louis and Lestat, Michael Jackson and Peter Pan are some of the characters whom we shall encounter (in one form or another) in the same abstract cemetery. These are dark love stories, some “instants of life“, interconnected through the theme of fear of separation which occurs through death. It is an emotional tribute paid to the favourite characters and songs. It is the game of imagining that we could see them in flesh and blood. And not lastly, the slightly morbid pleasure of imagining how we could bid farewell to the ones we love. Or simply, the need to understand what we can do with the love that is left behind”. Iris Spiridon 9G la TNB is a programme of the National Theatre dedicated to young artist aged up to 35, graduates of relevant faculties, not employed in any entertainment institution. Do you love me? – a romantic horror, is the 12th show included in the repertoire of the Small Hall (space exclusively dedicated to this programme).   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu