CIS News

The “I.L. Caragiale” National Theatre of Bucharest, through the “Ion Sava” Centre for Theatre Research and Creation, is launching the fourth 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 15 projects have been selected to date, 13 of which are included in 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 copyright, 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: tnb9g2017@gmail.com. They shall comprise (according to the attached form): the directing concept of the show (maximum 2 pages); the cast, and the CVs 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 7 March 2017 until 7 April 2017, 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).

On 5 and 6 November 2016, the Small Hall of the National Theatre is hosting the premiere of a new show within the framework of the 9G Programme at NTB, The Girl Soldier by Mihaela Michailov, directed by Silvia Roman. If the author of the text is a name already famous in the theatrical world, her texts being enacted and awarded, director Silvia Roman celebrates her debut with this show. In 2015, she obtained her bachelor’s degree at the National University of Theatrical and Cinematic Arts with the show Woyzeck by Büchner. The Girl Soldier is a story for all ages and all times, bearing the scent of childhood since time immemorial. The world seen through the eyes of a 9-year-old girl is filled with candour and unpredictable like a serious game of life and death. The show is composed as a childish puzzle from the memories about Grandmother, the main character of this Cosmos, the mistress of games and owner of all small and big questions in the universe. Grandmother means childhood, the world, life. This is why she is not allowed to disappear and little Ami decides to save her grandmother from death, training an entire army of soldiers in her defense… A one woman show – with two interpretations (Silvana Mihai and Cristina Juncu) –, powerful, sensitive, humorous, contemporary in terms of message and approach, where psychological realism may reach abysmal depths. A show which, with the delicacy of innocence, raises necessary questions about life, death, society, education, tolerance. Saturday, 5 November, 8:00 p.m., Small Hall, NTB – Silvana Mihai Sunday, 6 November, 8:00 p.m., Small Hall, NTB – Cristina Juncu P.S. For the general audience (the children will love it, and grown-ups shall benefit from it).   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

Between 22 and 25 October 2016, the ”I.L. Caragiale” National Theatre of Bucharest shall host a workshop given by British actor and director Michael Pennington, joined by Ion Caramitru, on the topic of the Shakespearian monologue. The workshop shall be held in English and Romanian, for 12 people - 6 actors and 6 actresses. The ones interested in participating in the workshop must be aged up to 35 years, be English speakers and send a resume to the address ccct.tnb@gmail.com by Friday, 21 October, 3.00 p.m. The shortlisted persons shall be announced over the course of Friday.

We Are the Last 5, the latest show within the 9G Programme at NTB - dedicated to young theatre creators, at its third edition –, shall premiere on 6 and 7 October 2016, in the Small Hall. Director Dragoș Mușoiu proposes a visual and histrionic experiment, building on 5 short texts, almost unknown, written by Samuel Beckett. The author’s guidelines are observed with an almost absurd precision (because he assumes the lack of any mercantile orientation), 5 actors are added, functioning with the minuteness of the watch hands, much auxiliary-illusory technique is overlapped... and the outcome is a worryingly contemporary show. Why worryingly? Because it is about our everyday life, meeting the... theatre of the absurd. Common points: lack of real communication, automation of reactions, fear of immediate action, fear of love, fundamental boredom, again automation... the roads of Sisyphus experienced by every one of us real-time. Beckett’s short plays create a surreal world, but familiar at the same time, a world in which total control is undermined, and redemption may come from the most unexpected places. We Are the Last 5 is a powerful show about the human condition, about our actions and thoughts in the attempt to live, alongside the others, in society. A true challenge both for the artistic team, as well as for the audience, everything following Beckett’s strict, mathematic instructions. ”In order for the spectator to have complete freedom to read and interpret at will and where possible what he sees, we, the creation team, had to refrain from any form of interpretation and focus on conferring a faithful expression upon Beckett’s writing”. Dragoș Mușoiu   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 third edition of the 9G programme at NTB, 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 11 projects have been selected to date, 9 of which are included in 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 provides 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 by an extra week. - 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. - 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 copyright, according to the recipe of the representation and payment collection. 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 with 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: 9glatnb2016@gmail.com. They shall comprise (according to the attached form): the directing concept of the show (maximum 2 pages), the drama text, the cast, and the CVs 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 space of the Small Hall shall be used according to the attached outline (Italian stage). Projects shall be enlisted in the timeframe 3 – 29 May 2016, whereas by the end of May the shortlisted titles and the teams shall be announced. Following a discussion with the teams, the projects shall be selected which shall go into rehearsals in the season 2016/2017.   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

At the second edition of the 9G at NTB Programme, a group of young graduates from the Theatre Faculty of Cluj (class of Bács Miklós) were proposing a bold and unusual project, risky and captivating at the same time. A project involving much teamwork, many trials and a working method less practised in Romania: a drama and acting workshop, coordinated by actor Ştefan Lupu, according to the formula work in progress, meant to be concluded with a show born from improvisation. From actors, and from life, from the frailty of theatre, on a topic about the dramas of high-tech man. A kind of Approximate Man of our paradoxical (and Dadaist) times. This week – on Thursday, 7 April, and Friday, 8 April 2016 – a new production of the young artists is presented to the audience: The Placebo (D)Effect. A lively, engaging and provocative show, about the artificial world we inhabit, about the loneliness caused by excessive communication, about the human in us and about the danger of technological progress. About the things we have forgotten or replaced with technology, about the fear to return to the real life … because the virtual one has become more satisfying. The Placebo (D)Effect is a show with a guaranteed therapeutic effect. Because both the laughter and the thrill, but also the stories told with honesty, the dance and especially the music belong to our human identity. A show reminding us of the importance of real life. 3 stories, 3 relationships and an encounter like a therapy session, where the only therapist is the theatre. 100% 9G at NTB. 100% about the world nowadays.                                                 Ştefan Lupu: The Placebo (D)Effect intertwines three stories of apparently normal people in an abnormal society, forcing more and more actively the 21st century individual to become artificial, dependent and lonely, against his will, with a great and surprising lack of judgment. As fabulous as the technological evolution of the last decades is, as deprived of essence we become involuntarily, thus moving away from the human spirit and qualities. Our thoughts and lives "are galloping on optic fibre" and our whole universe seems to become increasingly toxic and harmful, us ending up expressing our feelings per e-mail. The Placebo (D)Effect is a caustic show, debating the conflict between the natural and the artificial, the real and unreal, the plastic and the biodegradable human soul. Everything is rendered on stage on a comic note, with dramatic dancing reflections. The escape from a real world to a virtual one in which everything seems to be perfect, forces the viewer to ask himself which are the truly important things in our bipolar, plasticised life, carefully wrapped like a product with an expiry date. The effect of the (D)effect translates into the desire to hold a loved one in your arms and to tell him/her "so happy to see you", "I missed you", "I love you". Chat conversation end           Sent from Messenger Placebo (D)Effect                                             Impressions from the spectators, connoisseurs after the viewing (source Facebook): “I have witnessed today, at the wonderful time of 2 pm, a preview of a 9G project at NTB, which knocked me off my feet! It transformed my whole day, from (…), into filled with joy and meaning! It even lured the sun out of its den! Bravo, you gifted, wonderful, profound people of the big cities!” Alina Herescu – scenographer “I sincerely hope that the show we have previewed yesterday, The Placebo (D)Effect (part of the 9G programme), created by Ştefan Lupu together with a splendid team of actors: Alina Petrică, Vlad Nemeş, Ioana Predescu, Rareş Florin Stoica and George Bîrsan shall assert itself into the repertoire of the National Theatre of Bucharest. It is a gem of a show, a beautiful and witty creation, with artists proving that both the present and the future of Romanian theatre are in safe hands! Congratulations!”Gina Şerbănescu – dance critic “Because the young generation lives for the truth. Because the young generation must pull the strings, which society clings onto. Because the young generation means the future. Because starting with April, at NTB (Small Hall) things are starting to change, for the better. ”The Placebo (D)Effect”!”Dragoş N. Savu – photographer.   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

The "I.L. Caragiale" National Theatre of Bucharest, through the Researching and Theatrical Creation Center "Ion Sava", has launched the second phase of the 9G program at NTB (The New Generation) that addresses young theatre creators, who graduated from faculties in the field of theatre, aged up to 35 years old, who are not employed by entertainment establishments. The program was launched in January, 2014. Seven projects were selected in the first phase, out of which six were included in the 9G at NTB Season. 9G at NTB takes place in the Small Hall, a space exclusively intended for young artists. 9G at NTB. Process: - The "I.L. Caragiale" National Theatre of Bucharest provides the space to prepare the stage play, in the Small Hall or in one of the rehearsal spaces of the theatre, for a three weeks time (out of which one week on the stage of the Small Hall). Depending on the theatre's rehearsal schedule and space availability (rehearsal halls, foyers, etc.) or on the difficulty of the suggested project, the time granted for preparing the stage play may be extended by one more week. - NTB provides the technical facilities of the Small Hall, the costume storage room, the props storage, properties, the theatre's workshops, with no further investment related to the play's production. - The stage plays resulting from the selected projects will be enacted in 3 free representations, with free access, without payment for royalties or related claims. - Following the representations with audience, and with the approval of the Artistic Counsel of NTB, the play can be picked up for a season (with the possibility of extending the contract) in the Small Hall's repertory, in the 9G at NTB Season, with minimum investments in production, and compensation for the performance's royalties, according to the show's returns and receipts. Conditions to participate in the pre-selection of projects: - The team that submits the project must consist of independent artists, who graduated from faculties in the field of theatre, aged up to 35 years old. - There is no requirement or restriction regarding the submitted texts (classical and contemporary dramaturgy) or the genre of the suggested esthetics, but the concepts of performances that are built especially upon the art of acting will have an advantaged. - The projects will be sent via email at: tnb9g2015@gmail.com. They will cover (as per the adjacent form): the director's concept for the play (2 pages maximum), the dramatic text, the cast, the team members' resumes. (Links with recordings of shows that the team members worked on may be added or the recorded shows can be sent via transfer). Also, the technical necessities of the project will be mentioned in detail. - The Small Hall's space will be used in the Italian stage lay out. The projects can be entered between February 9th and April 3rd, and the titles and teams that get on the final list will be announced by the end of April. The projects that start rehearsal will be decided after a discussion with the teams. One of the selected titles will start rehearsal in the season 2014-2015 and the program will continue in the next season. Fisa de inscriere preselectie TNB9G     Translated by Ana - Maria Albu MTTLC, University of Bucharest

Organic, by Saviana Stănescu, directed by Andrei Măjeri, ends the series of shows produced in the first phase of the 9G at NTB Program, conducted through the Ion Sava Center of Research and Theatrical Creation.                                            The show brings forward a dire subject, taken from today’s topical news – organ trafficking – and tells a realistic story... but envelops it in a black comedy of good quality. The American dream and the life of emmigrants in a chameleonic ideal world takes on dramatic accents, as well as comical ones. Just imagine what the Bundys from the well-known comedy series would look like, if they lived off organ trade, instead of shoe sales... Silva Helena Schmidt, Andrei Stehan and Lucian Rus turn their acting from drama to comedy, from a realistic performance to the grotesque of the dreams imagined by Ada Milea, Arcadie Rusu, Les Ateliers Nomad, Ioana Păun, Tudor Giurgiu. Organic is a very present and engaging show, displaying grave accents, humor and irony, all accompanied by musical, theatrical, choreographic and visual surprises. Translated by Ioana Axenoi - Pănescu

The new premiere of the NTB’s 9G program (The New Generation at the National Theatre), “Extended Love” by Lukas Bärfuss, directed by Elena Morar, approaches themes that aren’t foreign to any of us: the couple in love, boredom, the need for sexual or … existential diversity. The stories of two couples intertwine, passion languishes in a deceptive search for the spices that make life more interesting or more hollow. The psychological analysis of this type of behavior has become a successful business of our time, as the lives of these characters make out a case for Freud’s theories. What matters most in love? Trust, safety, dependency? Or faithfulness? And when they are gone, what is the next step for the mentally unstable wife or for the determined one, a painter dedicated to her work? When life becomes a great big lie, is murder the solution? In a world where people are shocked by their own reactions, or by the reactions of others around them, “Extended Love” doesn’t give answers; instead it burdens us with questions. The play premieres Sunday, January 18th, at 20:00, at the Small Hall of the National Theatre.   Translated by Ana – Maria Albu MTTLC, The University of Bucharest

Five New Generation projects, four stage plays in the NTB repertoire, two new titles that are almost ready to be performed in front of the public. This is the way The New Generation at the NTB looks like as far as numbers are concerned. The four stage plays of this programme dedicated to the young creators of theatre which are included in the National ‘I.L.Caragiale’ Theatre until the present moment, are: DYSTOPIA.shakespeare.REMIX (a stage play conceived by Catinca Drăgănescu), ActOrchestra(a musical theatre play which is not a musical) and The Two Character Play written by Tennessee Williams and directed by Iris Spiridon. The premiere of The Two Character Play will take place on Saturday, 29th November, at 20:00h, in the Small Hall of the National ‘I.L. Caragiale’ Theatre in Bucharest. The play of the famous American playwright was translated and performed for the first time on our stages. The Two Character Play is an autobiographic story, in which life and art intertwine, and the spectator is invited to do an exercise of imagination. Tennessee Williams, the author of fragile worlds and glass menageries, opens himself to us, confesses and whispers his story and that of his sister. ‘But you don’t know Miss Rose and you never will, unless you come to know her through my play. This is why I will put her on the bookshelf or on the theatre stage for you’. Iris Spiridon takes her out of the shelf and brings her on stage, in a paper reality that imitates life to such an extent that it comes to be identified with the ideal fantasy of a book. It is a book (conceived and completed by the scenographer Cristina Milea) who has all the cards to enter another book, namely that of records, if not for the dimensions (as existing data on the Internet shows), then most certainly for the beauty and the poetry of the image. Inside its pages, Istvan Teglaş and Ioana Mărcoiu come to life in The Two Character Play. ‘Among the themes of the play one can identify claustrophobia, isolation and mental illnesses. Two actors, Clare and Felice, the same as the characters who interpret them, don’t manage to clarify themselves and evade their damaged mental state, no matter how hard they struggle. The spectators are also faced with the dark truths of what being human means while they are watching The Two Character Play. It is an illusion without illusion, a play without a script, a grain of truth which lacks discernment.’ – Iris Spiridon Translated by Manuela Chira Cristina MTTLC, University of Bucharest