News

The National Theater of Bucharest opens the doors of the Media Hall for a public "first reading" of the new text: The Bride's Time and Her Gown   Following the resounding success of Ghosts and Dandelions, the story continues! Gavril Patru invites the audience to discover the second part of the "Oltenia Trilogy" in an intimate and unique setting. It is not just a simple reading, but a rehearsal of the beginning, a rare opportunity to see how the characters come to life and how the magic of theater is built from scratch. Moreover, only those who join us in this first step will be our special guests at the dress rehearsal of the performance (also with free admission!). On January 31, 2026, at 12:00 p.m., in the Media Hall, with free admission (subject to availability), we invite you to discover the authentic world of Oltenia, full of humor and meaning, before it reaches the main stage.   Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu 

Continuing its tradition, the I.L. Caragiale National Theater will once again honor National Culture Day on January 15, 2026, opening its doors to the public and inviting them to participate in a selection of the most representative activities of the country's leading theater. On the evening of January 15, at 7 p.m., NTB will present at the Pictura Hall – Ghosts and Dandelions, text and direction by Gavril Patru. The performance marks the directorial debut of the author, who is also a well-known actor at the National Theater, and in this triple role, he stages the dramatization of a text that earned him the "Marin Sorescu" Award for Debut Book of the Year 2022, offered by the Bucharest Branch of the Writers' Union. Spectators attending this performance will be able to watch a video montage of Eminescu's most beautiful verses, interpreted by great actors from the National Theater, on a screen installed in the foyer of the Ion Caramitru Hall. "Poetry is a miracle of language use, of literary language in particular. And this is not only because it saves typographical space and paper, but also because, in a minimalist setting, it conceals profound meanings. (...) Through Eminescu's poetry, I fell in love with the Romanian language. He knew best that the worlds of poetry are the worlds of our dreams," confessed Ion Caramitru, perhaps the most extraordinary interpreter of Eminescu's verses, in a beautiful essay entitled "Poetic Copyright." From 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., free guided tours of the NTB Museum will take place: the public is invited to discover the Queen Mary at the Theatre exhibition. Access is based on a free ticket, available online or at the ticket office, subject to availability. From 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m., free guided tours of the NTB are organized, subject to availability.  Visitors will be able to visit the new halls, workshops, and backstage areas of the National Theater. The meeting point is in the foyer of the Ion Caramitru Hall, in front of the ticket office. Please arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled time for the theatre tour. Starting at 5 p.m., light projections will be displayed on the NTB stage tower, featuring portraits of prominent figures in Romanian culture. January 15 is not only a day dedicated to honoring Mihai Eminescu, the "complete man of Romanian culture" and symbol of national identity, whose birth marks 176 years, but also a symbolic day that gives us the opportunity to reflect on the identity values of Romanian culture and highlight them through various events designed to reaffirm the importance of culture in the development of society.   Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu 

During the winter holidays, the ticket office of the National Theater in Bucharest will have the following schedule: December 24, 25, 26 – closed December 27, 28: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. December 29, 2025 – January 2, 2026: closed From January 3, 2026, we will return to our normal operating hours! We wish you happy holidays and look forward to welcoming you to our performances!

On December 3, 2025, the I.L. Caragiale National Theater in Bucharest will join the Purple Night Romania national campaign, organized by the Romanian Diversity Chamber of Commerce (RDCC) in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. On the evening of December 3, 2025, the façade of the Bucharest National Theater will be illuminated in purple—the international color associated with the fight for the rights of people with disabilities—and the official visual of the campaign will be displayed in the NTB's communication spaces and on the theater's online channels. Through this symbolic gesture, the NTB joins cultural institutions across the country in sending a common message of openness, respect, and responsibility towards people with disabilities, in the fifth edition of the "Purple Night Romania" campaign. For the Bucharest National Theater, accessibility is not a one-off initiative, but a natural and committed direction: culture only truly becomes public when it is accessible to all, regardless of the barriers each person faces. Also, the Bucharest National Theater announces on December 13 and 14, 2025, at the Atelier Hall, the first two performances, which mark the official premiere of Christian O'Reilly's play No Magic Pill, directed by Laurentiu Rusescu. It is the first local theatrical endeavor dedicated to people with motor disabilities, bringing together on stage both professional actors and five amateur actors with motor disabilities, who courageously take on their own life experiences. Inspired by the true story of Irish activist Martin Naughton, the play brings to the audience the story of people struggling to maintain their dignity and independence in a system that constantly tests their limits. No Magic Pill is being staged for the first time outside Ireland, and the theme of inclusion—addressed with lucidity, humor, and great human warmth—transforms the encounter with the audience into a necessary dialogue about normality, access, and respect. The cast, alongside actors Raluca Aprodu, Marius Manole, and Mihaela Velicu, will include: Alexandru Tache, Ariana Dumitru, Paul Lucian Teodorescu, Arian Notretu and Alexandru Calitoiu, with the participation (video) of actors Alexandru Potocean, Cosmina Olariu and Vitalie Bichir. The set design is by Andreea Koch. By lighting up the building on December 3 and supporting artistic projects dedicated to people with disabilities, NTB reaffirms its commitment to transforming accessibility in culture from a campaign topic into a normal practice, integrated into the daily life of the institution.   Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu 

The Bucharest National Theater announces the list of those selected to participate in the fourth Playwriting Workshop led by Mimi Branescu: Diana Amitroaie, Ana Avram, Anamaria Codita, Serin Jemaa, Alexia Matei, Ioana Niculae, Aurora Paunescu, Andrei Marius Barbu, Valeriu Ilisie, Denis Imbrescu, Laurentiu Lungu. We would like to thank everyone who applied!   Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu 

The I.L. Caragiale National Theater in Bucharest enjoyed notable success at the International Theater Festival in Kielce (Poland), where it presented the play Mary Stuart, directed by Andrei Șerban. The NTB production was praised for its acting power, vision, visual coherence, and directorial rhythm. A large audience from several Polish cities came to Kielce to see the performance of the National Theatre in Bucharest. The seventh edition of the festival, which confirmed its popularity and quality on the European circuit, enjoyed the presence of the Les Merveilleuses/ Théâtre National de la Colline company from Paris, as well as important names in Polish and European theater, such as Luk Perceval (Belgium), Maja Kleczewska, and Isabelle Lafon (France). NTB's presence in Poland was part of the broader Romania–Poland Cultural Season 2024–2025, marking a major contribution from the Romanian side. The event was also included in the Romanian section of "Gra z Kantorem"/"Playing with Kantor." This year's edition focuses on the performing arts in Romania and is organized by Cricoteka together with the Romanian Cultural Institute in Warsaw. The curator of this edition is theater critic Cristina Modreanu. The TNB tour in Kielce was made possible with the support of the Romanian Ministry of Culture. Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu 

Mary Stuart – A Performance by Andrei Șerban On October 15, 2025, the I.L. Caragiale National Theater in Bucharest (TNB) has the honor of presenting a special performance in Kielce: Mary Stuart, in the exceptional vision of world-renowned director Andrei Șerban. The performance, based on Robert Icke's text adapted from Friedrich Schiller, brings to the fore one of the most famous and tragic conflicts in royal history: the struggle for the throne and, implicitly, the struggle for life, between Queen Elizabeth I of England and her cousin, Mary Stuart of Scotland (played by Ofelia Popii and Raluca Aprodu at random, roles assigned at the beginning of each performance). Under the baton of Andrei Șerban, known for his innovation and directorial force on prestigious stages around the world (including Broadway and La MaMa, New York), this production is not just a history lesson, but a profound exploration of power, destiny, and sacrifice. The event takes place at the opening of the Kielce International Theatre Festival and as part of the Romanian edition of the "Gra z Kantorem" program. Tickets can be purchased on the Stefan Żeromski Theatre website: teatrzeromskiego.bilety24.pl „Grz z Kantorem” /„Playing with Kantor” is an artistic research project organized by the Tadeusz Kantor Cricoteka Documentation Center in Krakow, initiated in 2018, and since 2023 it has taken the form of a festival. It explores the reception of Tadeusz Kantor's work and presents it as a living source of inspiration for new generations of experimental artists around the world. "Playing with Kantor" demonstrates the tangible impact of Cricot 2 on the contemporary form of theater and visual arts. This year's edition focuses on the performing arts in Romania and is organized by Cricoteka together with the Romanian Cultural Institute in Warsaw. The performance in Kielce is supported by the Romanian Ministry of Culture. On October 15, audiences in Poland—and beyond—will have a unique opportunity to see the power and elegance of the Bucharest National Theater team on stage in Kielce.   Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu 

The I.L. Caragiale National Theater is planning a new Playwriting workshop from November 10, 2025, to May 17, 2026, led by Mimi Branescu, now in its fourth edition. The workshop is open to anyone interested. Applications should be sent to andrei.marinescu@tnb.ro by November 1, 2025. The application for enrollment must contain: - a brief CV - contact details - an original text, no longer than 3 pages, with a scene for 2-3 characters or a monologue The workshop will involve one meeting per week. A maximum of 10 participants will be selected and announced on November 10, 2025. Participation in the workshop is free of charge.   Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu

Tickets for the performances of the 35th edition of the National Theater Festival will go on sale on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 12:00 p.m., simultaneously on the sales platforms of each host theater, as well as at their ticket offices. For easy access, we recommend that you select the desired performances from the daily program posted on the fnt.ro website and, by clicking the Buy Tickets button, you will be redirected to the ticket purchase page for the desired performance. The Buy Tickets button will be active starting Wednesday, October 1, at 12:00 p.m. For two of the FNT performances – "It's Only the End of the World," directed by Eugen Jebeleanu, and "At Dawn, the Light Is Harsher," directed by Radu Apostol – admission is free, subject to availability, based on registration on the performance pages. Follow us on www.fnt.ro and on the Facebook page of the National Theater Festival to stay up to date with all the details regarding the program of performances and related events. * The 35th edition of the National Theater Festival, produced by UNITER – the Romanian Theater Union, will take place in Bucharest between October 17 and 26, 2025. FNT is a strategic cultural project funded by the Ministry of Culture. The co-producer is the Bucharest City Hall through ARCUB – the Cultural Center of Bucharest. The curatorial team of the National Theater Festival consists of Raluca Circiumaru (theater critic), Alina Epingeac (theater critic), and Ionut Sociu (playwright and cultural journalist), with Radu Afrim as associate director. The theme of the current edition is a call to action: FNT 2025. It concerns you!, and the image is a creation by set designer Irina Moscu. We look forward to seeing you at NTF!  Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu 

Premiering at the "I.L. Caragiale" National Theater in Bucharest, Nothing is by Chance by David Schwartz. A documentary theater project conceived in three stages, carried out over two years, created by the director-playwright together with actresses and actors from TNB. Six characters with different personalities and problems, but all searching for meaning, participate in a family constellation session. An engaging story about more or less chance encounters and reunions, extreme situations, clashes of ideas, contradictory states and feelings, in an intimate space, where the action takes place in close proximity to the audience. Personal and spiritual development services have become increasingly popular globally. They promise to solve all problems, from career and money to relationships, and are promoted as a universal panacea for the shortcomings of contemporary society. At the same time, they are increasingly controversial: some people claim that they fundamentally change their lives for the better, while others consider them harmful or dangerous; for some they are pure science, for others commercial speculation; some say they should be widespread and accessible to everyone, while others argue that they should be regulated or even banned. Finally, the proliferation of these practices may be a symptom of the increasingly acute problems (social or spiritual) facing the world today, rather than a cause or trigger. The actors and actresses who perform in the production—Ada Gales, Iuliana Moise, Crina Semciuc, István Téglás, Ionut Toader, Florentina Tilea—worked with the director to research the methods and impact of spiritual development services, particularly the Family Constellations method, in Bucharest. The research consisted of interviews, informal discussions, reviewing sociological and anthropological works on the subject, observation, and direct participation. The script fictionalizes and develops situations encountered in the documentation process. The production is the result of a documentary theater project on personal development practices, organized under the auspices of the Ion Sava Center for Theater Research and Creation. The completion of this project involved the creation of a theater production. Begun in the spring of 2023, together with actors from the National Theater of Bucharest, Nothing is by Chance, a project by director-playwright David Schwartz, had its preview at the end of last season. This staging is made possible by Andrei Dinu's set design, original music and sound design by Nikita Dembinski, lighting design by Stefan Dumitra, and choreography by Florin Fieroiu. First performances of the current season: September 19, 20, and 21, 2025 (official premiere), at 7 p.m., at the Atelier Hall.   Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu