News

National campaign "Artists for artists"

01 March 2023

19^th edition, March 15 - April 15, 2023

We would like to present the 19th edition of the National Campaign "Artists for Artists", UNITER's first program of the year 2023, organized together with theatres from Bucharest and from all over the country, from March 15 to April 15, 2023. Initiated in 2002, the National Campaign "Artists for Artists" is a stimulator of guild solidarity, a financial springboard for struggling artists and a signal to the public and the authorities about their situation and their dignity. We are re-launching this event after a 3-year break due to the SARS-COV2 pandemic and the reality of the war with Ukraine.

With the help of state and independent theatres that have responded to our call and programmed performances under the sign of solidarity in theatre, UNITER is actively involved in the field of financial support for artists in delicate situations. Proceeds from ticket sales are donated to the Theatre Solidarity Fund (RO40RZBR0000060007801286 opened at Raiffeisen Bank, Amzei Square Agency) and represent financial support for the beneficiaries of the program.

Here are the shows that will be performed during the above-mentioned period for the benefit of the Campaign. More details about the schedule of the performances and how to buy tickets can be found on www.uniter.ro and on the websites of the producing theatres.

In Bucharest:

March 17^th: Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi, Comedy Opera for Children

March 18^th: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? By Edward Albee, directed by Alexandru Mazgareanu, Odeon Theatre

March 18^th: The Railway Station, direction and screenplay Mihai Malaimare, Masca Theatre

March 21^st: Girls & Boys by Dennis Kelly, directed by Cristi Juncu, ACT Theatre

March 21^st: Cock by Mike Bartlett, directed by Tony Adam Horatiu, "Stela Popescu" Theatre (the performance is hosted by Excelsior Theatre, "Ion Lucian" Hall)

March 25^th: The Spanish Fly by Franz Arnold and Ernst Bach, directed by Andrei Munteanu, Jewish State Theatre

March 26: Dinner with Friends de Donald Margulies, directed by Cristi Juncu, Bulandra Theatre

April 1^st: Marriage in Heaven by Mircea Eliade, dramatization by Andrei Craciun and Zsuzsánna Kovács, directed by Zsuzsánna Kovács, Romanian Playwrights Theatre

April 2^nd: Love Letters, by A.R. Gurney, directed by Mircea Cornisteanu, Teatrelli

April 7^th: Funny Money de Ray Cooney, directed by Horatiu Malaele, Comedy Theatre

April 7^th: Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare, directed by Nona Ciobanu, Mic Theatre

April 8^th: Figaro after "The Marriage of Figaro" by Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, directed by Mihai Lungeanu, Nottara Theatre

Across the country:

March 1^st and 2^nd: Oxygen by Ivan Viripajev, directed by Pálffy Tibor, “Tamási Áron” Theatre, Sfantu Gheorghe

March 11^th: Youth without old age and life without death, after Petre Ispirescu, adaptation by Catalin Vasiliu, directed by Adrian Iclenzan, Dramatic Theatre “Fani Tardini” Galati / Premiere

March 16^th: Gliese 455, script and direction by Raul Coldea, “Andrei Muresanu” Theatre, Sfantu Gheorghe / Premiere

March 16^th: Artists' factory by Matei Lucaci Grunberg and Sever Barzan, directed by Matei Lucaci Grunberg, “Bacovia” Municipal Theatre, Bacau

March 17^th: The Miser by Molière, directed by, stage version, lighting design, musical illustration Felix Alexa, “Marin Sorescu” National Theatre, Craiova

March 19^th: Pacala by Andreea Radu, directed by Zeno Apostolache Kiss, “Ariel” Theatre for Children and Youth, Targu-Mures – Romanian section

March 20^th: János Vitéz by Petőfi Sándor, directed by Barabás Olga, “Ariel” Theatre for Children and Youth, Targu-Mures – Hungarian section

March 25^th: Palkó and Panna, directed by Laura Pünkosti, “Puck” Puppet Theatre, Cluj-Napoca – Hungarian department

March 25^th: Red Passion, after Mihail Sorbul, directed by Gelu Badea, “Tony Bulandra” Theatre, Targoviste

March 26^th: The Snow Maiden, directed by Traian Savinescu, “Puck” Puppet Theatre, Cluj-Napoca – Romanian section

March 26^th: Relatively Speaking by Alan Ayckbourn, directed by Iulian Enache, State Theatre, Constanta

March 26^th: The Son by Florian Zeller, directed by Bobi Pricop, “Regina Maria” Theatre, Oradea

March 26^th: Placebo, concept, choreography, light design Arcadie Rusu, Municipal Theatre Baia Mare

March 26^th: Tartuffe by Molière, directed by Madalin Hincu, “Matei Visniec” Municipal Theatre, Suceava

March 27^th: The Treasure Chest of the Seven Dwarfs, based on “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” by Brothers Grimm, directed by Béres László, Children and Youth Theatre “Merlin”, Timisoara

March 27^th: Mine Blindness by Csaba Székely, directed by Bogdan Saratean, “Radu Stanca” National Theatre, Sibiu

March 28^th: Momo, adapted after Michael Ende, directed by Diana Dragos, North Theatre Satu Mare – “Mihai Raicu” Company

March 29^th: The Beauty Queen of Leenane by Martin McDonagh, directed by Barabás Árpád, “Tomcsa Sándor” Theatre, Odorheiu Secuiesc

March 30^th: Ploughman and Death by Johannes von Tepl, dramatization and direction by Silviu Purcarete, “Vasile Alecsandri” National Theatre, Iasi

March 31^st: The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, directed by Eugen Gyemant, “Maria Filotti” Theatre, Braila / Premiere

April 1^st: A Lost Letter by I.L. Caragiale, directed by Alexandru Mazgareanu, Youth Theatre, Piatra Neamt

April 3^rd: Lázadni veletek akartam (I was going to rebel with you) by Attila Bódi, directed by Aba Sebestyén, Targu Mures National Theatre – “Tompa Miklos” Company

April 5^th: Bench for two by Aleksandr Ghelman, direction and scenography Boris Melinti, “Sica Alexandrescu” Theatre, Brasov

April 8^th: The Bald Soprano by Eugène Ionesco, directed by Cristian Ban, “Toma Caragiu” Theatre, Ploiesti

April 10^th: The Cherry Orchard by A.P. Cehov, directed by Volker Schmidt, German State Theatre, Timisoara

April 11^th: Take, Ianke and Cadar by Victor Ioan Popa, directed by Nicu Mihoc, National Theatre Targu Mures – “Liviu Rebreanu” Company

Also, the "I.L. Caragiale" National Theatre from Bucharest, the "Ion Creanga" Theatre and the "Mihai Eminescu" National Theatre from Timisoara showed their willingness and openness to get involved in the National Campaign "Artists for Artists". Details about the performances and dates of the performances that will be performed under the sign of guild solidarity will be announced shortly.

We thank the 39 theatre companies, artistic and technical staff for accepting to be Together again! And many thanks to the ticket-buying public, without whom this initiative would not be possible!

If you want to help!

The ways for financial donors to participate in the Artists for Artists fundraising campaign are:

Sponsorships dedicated to the Campaign

Donations on behalf of the Campaign

The 2% of overall income form

Purchase of tickets (medium or small donations) for the charity shows held from March 15 to April 15, 2023

Theatre Solidarity Fund:

IBAN RO40RZBR0000060007801286 account at Raiffeisen Bank, Amzei Square Agency

"The Romanian Theatre Union, both through its status and through the programs it runs, wishes that in the new year 2023 it will succeed in polarizing even more the attention and trust of its members and future members.

UNITER will continue to be a pole of stability and balance in our community.

Let's not forget that Theatre, in all its forms, and the Value of our work are those elements that unite us and keep us "Together" and that will survive regardless of time or generations.

All that we wish for the new year can go beyond words if each of us changes our position of expectation into a positive constructive one, each of us can bring a little but essential contribution to the improvement of our programs.

We have changes to make, but they have to be made organically starting with each one of us and we are convinced that this will have positive consequences for the community.

Tolerance, respect and transparency are values that UNITER wants to promote in 2023.

Come along with UNITER!”

Dragos Buhagiar, president of UNITER

UNITER

March 1^st, 2023

Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu

YEN by Anna Jordan, 9G premiere at NTB 19 April 2026

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

Magda Catone is the Mother-in-law in Little Hell 04 April 2026

Starting on April 4, 2026, renowned National Theater actress Magda Catone will play the role of the Mother-in-Law in Mircea Stefanescu's comedy Little Hell, taking over from Rodica Popescu-Bitanescu, the actress who has brought this delightful role in Romanian drama to life in recent seasons, continuing the series of anthological performances, from Natasa Alexandra, Silvia Dumitrescu-Timica to Ileana Stana Ionescu. At the "I.L. Caragiale" National Theater, the play Little Hell has had over 300 performances since its premiere in 2013! The next performances will take place on April 4, 8, and May 2, 2026! Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu

A new premiere at the National Theater of Bucharest: “The Bride's Time and Her Gown” – a continuation of the world of Oltenia created by Gavril Pătru 02 April 2026

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

Premiere at NTB: A play about the hypocrisy of today's world 13 March 2026

Starting March 13, 2026, you are invited to a new production, Of People, Doctors, and Rhinoceroses by Claudiu Goga after Arthur Schnitzler, at the Studio Hall of the I.L. Caragiale National Theater in Bucharest. A hot topic, even though the author, considered one of the most important representatives of Austrian modernism, imagined it in 1912, a time when many of the issues addressed in the play were more than sensitive, if not taboo. At Dr. Bernhardi's clinic, a teenager is fighting sepsis following a botched abortion. The priest is denied access to the dying girl's room for her last rites. The inevitable death occurs. The incident quickly becomes a topic of national debate: can a Jewish doctor forbid a Catholic priest from comforting a Christian on her deathbed? Based on Arthur Schnitzler's idea, director Claudiu Goga invites you to discover the astonishing story in which Dr. Bernhardi is drawn. A roller coaster of absurd situations, tensions, and contradictions in a world of political intrigue and careerism, where truth becomes a derisory fact amid obscure games of power and personal interests. Both a political play and a love story, written in the style of a detective novel, "Of People, Doctors, and Rhinoceroses" speaks with lucidity and humor about the hypocrisy of today's world. A world in which people claim to fight in the name of principles and values, in the name of political ideologies and religious beliefs, in the name of truth and in the name of humanity. In reality, these are all pretexts. People fight only for their personal interests. Why? The answer is simple: people are people. In the role of Dr. Elias Bernhardi: Mihai Calin, joined by actors George Ivascu, Mirela Oprisor, Medeea Marinescu, Ofelia Popii, Alexandru Potocean, Ioan Andrei Ionescu, Richard Bovnoczki, Dana Dogaru, Ada Gales, Ionut Toader, and Tomi Cristin. Director Claudiu Goga had allies in bringing his vision to life: Corina Gramosteanu for set design and Nina Brumuasila for costumes. Video design was by Andrei Cozlac and Silviu Apostol. Music and stage movement were by Florin Fieroiu. The following performances will take place on: March 14, March 15, March 18, March 19 (official premiere), April 1, at 7 p.m. Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu

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