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The plot of „The Mute Parrot” is set in one of the world’s most extravagant imperial courts – the court of Czarina Elisabeth I, daughter of Peter the Great and Empress of Russia from 1741 – 1762. Elisabeth was famed for spending excessive amounts on court ceremonies, the foreigners being fascinated by the luxury of the sumptuous balls. There was a never-ending chain of parties, and her favourites were the ones where men participated travestied as women, and women as men.   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

The show Allegro, ma non troppo by Ion Minulescu, directed by Razvan Popa, scheduled on December 5th, 2018 from 8.00 p.m. in the Painting Hall of the National Theatre of Bucharest, is a regular, sold-out representation. What is special about this time is that the play is performed for the hundredth time on this stage! The cast shall be the same as at the premiere on the date of 12, in the 12th month of 2014. Since then, in the welcoming Painting hall, well-known actors give you the chance to enounter the characters’ zest and the Minulescu situations: Gavril Patru, Marius Rizea, Eugen Cristea, Costina Cheyrouze (Ciuciulica), Aylin Cadir, Victoria Dicu are actors chosen by their colleague Razvan Popa, who also stood out as a director (2011 - UNITER Award for the Best Radio Theatre, "Shylock" by Gareth Armstrong). Along the 100 performances, Ileana Olteanu (temporarily replacing Aylin Cadir) and Monica Davidescu (with Costina Cheyrouze) joined the cast. The scenography of the show is signed by Florilena Popescu-Farcasanu and Maxim Corciova. Allegro, ma non troppo is an ingenious melange between theater and reality, in which an adultery is committed under the husband's eyes, under the guise of a fictional play. Razvan Popa revealed why he chose this play before the first encounter with his viewers: "It seemed to me of a striking topicality. Everything resembled what is happening at this moment. Formal marriages that break up at the long arm of the law, between millionaires and millionaire politicians, artists who do not find their place in society, custom-made stars, millionaires who become celebrities to become richer ... Here's what attracted me to the text of this writer, dramatically almost unknown, as much as Minulescu is known as a symbolist poet." A highly successful drama author in his time, manager of the National Theatre of Bucharest in 1926, Ion Minulescu (1881 - 1944) is known nowadays mostly as a poet of Romance. Although during the lifetime the writer believed that posterity would recognize him especially for his plays, the history of literature has chosen another destiny. His theatre deserves to be rediscovered nowadays, after decades since the first enactment at the Bucharest National Theatre, for the vivid dialogues, quick humour, the naturalness of the story, the intellectual verve, the originality of the writing. The most performed plays include: Sentimental Mannequin, The Storks Are Leaving, The Anonymous Lover, Allegro, ma non troppo, a comedy that was also represented in Bratislava and Buenos Aires. Writer Mircea M. Ionescu, himself a well-known playwright, was right when he anticipated a long-running success in Taifasuri magazine, thus stating: “A light show, but "allegro", with great humour, which shall fill the halls for years to come, wherever it shall be performed!"   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

In the Small Hall, ActOrchestra is performed to a full house! Two performances of the National Theatre of Bucharest are invited to the current edition of the National Theatre Festival that takes place in Cluj, God Dresses from the Thrift by Iulian Margu, directed by Ion Caramitru and ActOrchestra, directed by Horia Suru, collective creation. The event is organized by the "Lucian Blaga" National Theatre of Cluj-Napoca and takes place during the Centennial Celebration of the Great Union on November 28th and December 5th, 2018. The National Theatre Festival brings to Cluj the best theatrical productions created on exclusively Romanian texts, headlines the Cluj press. Among these, the NTB shows also prove to be very popular, and for ActOrchestra, tickets were sold out in a few days. Awarded the Mihai Mihail Prize at the Comedy Festival in Galaţi in 2016, the performance of the 9G Program at NTB, under the auspices of the Ion Sava Centre for Theatrical Research and Creation, continued its career successfully both at the headquarters in the country and abroad, enjoying the same warm welcome wherever it was presented. The audience is delighted to discover that ActOrchestra is not a concert, nor a musical theater, nor a musical improvisation, nor an exercise of acting ... It is just a laughing game ... seriously, with 3 actors - Petre Ancuţa, Florin Călbăjos, Emilian Mernea - and further 20 partners ... musical instruments that capitalize their talents beyond measure. "Energy and good mood! Here is what you will take home from ActOrchestra," wrote Cristina Rusiecki in the magazine. Among the plays performed at the theatre’s Grand Hall that hosts the event, one of the most anticipated is God Dresses from the Thrift, scheduled forthe first day of the festival. The satire shrouded in waltz rhythms, God Dresses from the Thrift of Iulian Margu directed by Ion Caramitru is a surprising story of a family traversing the decades, and of a brand piano on the turntable of history. "The idea that the trial of communism can include comedies struck me and made me curious, especially since I supposed it was the work of a young man belonging to the generation for whom the recollection of persecutions during communism was reduced to the fact that they were forced to cut their hair or beard. On the other hand, Caramitru's name complicated the equation and made it exciting. I did not know the text, so I do not know how many of the ideas of the show in its final form belong to the playwright, how many to the director and how many to the scenographer, but it is clear that the mixture of epochs by the continuous rotation of the scenery rooms manages to blend not only laughter with crying but also satire with nostalgia, making fun with sentimentality, depression with making the best of a bad bargain in a puzzle game that is, after all, a definition of history, "remarked Ana Blandiana in the Cultural Observatory. This year, in May, the show was applauded rapturously by the audience of Suceava, on the occasion of the Days of the Municipal Theatre "Matei Vişniec". The cast of the show comprises well-known actors of the National Theatre of Bucharest, in the order of appearance: Lari Giorgescu, Dorin Andone, Carmen Ungureanu, Teodora Mareş, Armand Calota, Fulvia He used, Eduard Adam, Ioan Andrei Ionescu, Florina Cercel. Along with the other National Theaters: "Lucian Blaga "- Cluj-Napoca," Marin Sorescu "- Craiova," Radu Stanca "- Sibiu, Mihai Eminescu - Kishinev," Vasile Alecsandri "- Iasi, Mihai Eminescu - Timisoara and Targu Mures, Caragiale from Bucharest participates for two consecutive days in the National Theatre Festival, organized under the "Romania 100" programme with the support of the Ministry of Culture and National Identity.   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

               Knight d'Eon is one of the most mysterious characters of the eighteenth century. The French spy lived as both a man and a woman, while maintaining the ambiguity of his identity. More about this fascinating character in NTB's next premiere, following a text written and directed by Nae Caranfil: The Mute Parrot - Nearly true stories about a nearly forgotten spy.

December 2018 shall remain in the history of the I.L. Caragiale National Theatre as the month in which no less than four premiere took place, a fact unique in the 166 years of the Theatre! Shows directed by Radu Afrim, Nae Caranfil, Eugen Gyemant and Dragos Huluba shall premiere in December. During an informal meeting with journalists, the National Theatre revealed its hidden plans, giving the audience a true month of gifts and surprises at the end of the year. In December, the premiere of The Mute Parrot, script and direction by Nae Caranfil, The Forest of the Hanged with a script after Liviu Rebreanu's novel directed by Radu Afrim, and 50 Seconds by Daniel Oltean (2017 award at the UNITER Gala) directed by Eugen Gyemant, and the pantomime show Once Upon a Time in Romania, directed by Dragos Huluba. The Mute Parrot is an incredible but real story, that has one of the most enigmatic and fascinating figures of the eighteenth century in the center - the transvestite spy Charles d'Eon / Lia de Beaumont. "It is a story that happens between Paris and Saint Petersburg around one thousand seven hundred and fifty, and which is treated with limited authenticity, that is, there are times when I deliberately dare to allow myself to create elements that take you out of time , which are anachronistic, but are assumed as such, "stated director Nae Caranfil about his performance at the meeting with the press in the Grand Hall foyer. Director Radu Afrim said that he wants the show of the Forest of the Hanged to prompt the young people who read Liviu Rebreanu's novel to take the book in their hands after watching the show. "Young people must be regained, and they have to get back in touch with classical literature, because contemporary literature is just another brick over this wall built by the classics ... This literature is unique, unfortunately very little known in Europe, every country has its writers, which it cherishes, which it promotes very much. In our case, things have taken a turn, which I will speak about in my show, a very ok one from the point of view of education" said Afrim. The text of the show 50-second, written by the criminal prosecutor and theatrologist Daniel Oltean, is in fact a forensic and psychoanalytic investigation at the same time, it is an exploration of the dark side of the human soul and of the luminous parts of the relations between a son and a mother . Is a very profound and very special play, because it is very introspective and somehow philosophical”, declared the director of the show, Eugen Gyemant. Another unusual theatrical moment toiled upon at the end of the year is the pantomime show Once Upon a Time in Romania, directed by Dragos Huluba. "The title of the show Once upon a time in Romania can be read in two ways, that is, 'it was once' and we hope it will not happen again, or 'it was once,' and unfortunately, it is not anymore. (...) We have tried to compress in an hour and a quarter 100 years of Romanian history, that is, from the First World War to the modern times, but the modern times that have lost the aesthetics from the word modern. (...) We have spoken of simple people, humble people who have to bear the cavalcade of history that strikes them and faced with which they have to survive or not, they are our grandparents, our parents, ours. (...) It's not just a pantomime show, because we are talking a lot about a pantomime show, we have a song, we have projections - because we felt the need to introduce this video discourse, " declared Dragos Huluba. Originally scheduled to premiere in December, the show The Nouveau Criminals by Edna Mazia, directed by Ion Caramitru had to be rescheduled, "This piece that arrives from Israel is a tragicomedy, a play with countless, I would say psychological nuances of our time,"said Ion Caramitru on this occasion. The projects of the National Theatre until the end of the year include the exhibitions Romania 100 Years of Architectural Competitions, which is open until December 12th in the Studio Hall lobby, The Sign of Jonah - works by Cristian Badilita in the Media Hall foyer (Intercontinental wing) and the exhibition of the Princess Margaret Foundation scholars can be visited until December 2nd, in the Media Hall foyer (Arghezi wing).   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

The conquering show, which proved its emotional impact on an audience of all ages, Anonymous Venetian by Giuseppe Berto, performed by two of the most well-known actors of the National Theatre of Bucharest, Ilinca Goia and Ioan Andrei Ionescu, shall be performed on November 8th, 2018 for the 100th time at the Black Box Hall, where also the premiere took place in June 2014. Thus, for 4 seasons, the troubling love story which also generated a famous film, where the protagonists were Florinda Bolkan and Tony Musante, knows a constant success in the enactment created under the auspices of the Ion Sava Centre for Research and Theatrical Creation, under the directorial guidance of Ion Caramitru. A Romantic drama pulsating under the tunes of the concert for oboe and chords orchestra of Alessandro Marcello faces us with two people and their unfinished love story. Anonymous Venetian is a sensitive show, profound, sometimes ironic and always touching. She and He experience love beyond time, in a Venice of music and eternal beauty. Here, love means the freedom to face both life and death with a smile. Or, according to master Suchianu, referring to the film which imposed Anonymous Venetian to the audience’s conscience, under the sign of the implacable ending, „a brief encounter along a Venice as beautiful as love and death" is consumed. „The present show is not intended to be a demonstration, but an exercise in the public eye. Anonymous Venetian by Giuseppe Berto delivers the pretext for such an approach, where as Ilinca Goia and Ioan Andrei Ionescu, two very experienced actors of the National troupe, have the courage of assuming it until the end, having the pleasure of performing with simple, but complicated means, those of the actor.”  “Excellent, both, with rich talent, led with a certain hand by the director of the show - Ion Caramitru", noticed Silvia Kerim. Among the countless appreciations of the reviewers, we derive further thoughts, inviting you not to miss Anonymous Venetian: "In the show of Ion Caramitru, everything is so natural, that I have no choice but calling it cinematographic” (Gabriela Hurezean); „A slice of theatre-theatre. For a long time have I not been drawn by the dramatic force of a slice of life acquiring scenic contour which such poignancy” (Bedros Horasangian); „An unusual invitation the penetrate into a creation laboratory, a serious performance workshop” (Razvana Nita); „Anonymous Venetian is a page of theatrical refinement, which evoked me the precious finesse of an ancient brocade, such as it is „no longer woven nowadays”. (Andreea Nanu). If you can no longer find tickets to this show, a new representation awaits you on November 16th, 2018, at the Black Box Hall, from 8.00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased either from the NTB box office (from the Grand Hall foyer), or online, on www.mystage.ro.   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

In a new role, Adela Mărculescu returns to the play "The Idol and Ion Anapoda" On Wednesday, November 7th, 2018, from 7.30 p.m., the Studio Hall of the National Theatre of Bucharest resumes Idol and Ion Anapoda by G. M. Zamfirescu, a long-run interwar comedy, enacted twice on the stages of this theatre (in 1980 and 2006), both in the stage direction of prestigious director Ion Cojar. Starting with this performance, the role of an irresistible humour, of Stavaroaia, "an aunt who has not yet given up life", shall be taken over by Adela Marculescu, after the withdrawal from the theatrical activity of Ileana Stana Ionescu, the one who held this role in both above-mentioned enactments. In the 1980 version of the show, Adela Marculescu was the impersonator of the niece Mioara! Dan Puric, the performer of Ion Anapoda, also assumed his directorial duties after master Ion Cojar left the great stage of the world, assuming the role of “conductor” of the cast and taking care of the nuances of interpretation at each reprise of the show or of the stand-ins. His partner is Irina Cojar, the great-granddaughter of playwright George Mihail Zamfirescu and granddaughter of director Ion Cojar and well-known national actress Raluca Zamfirescu. Her grandparents are also those who guided her steps to her debut in 2006 in this show. Frosa, the Dream Idol is, in her performance, a character with two appearances, but not two faces, spiritually resonating with Ion on a score reserved for the sensible and ... more different than the others, as you shall notice coming to this show where the other roles, well highlighted and each with its dramaturgical flavour, are performed by: Ileana Olteanu / Cesonia Postelnicu, Silviu Biris, Alexandru Hasnas, Afrodita Androne / Erika Baiesu. Based on a story rife with optimism and a special magnetism to the audience, The Idol and Ion Anapoda delighted generations of spectators and still displays a great power of seduction, ranging from season to season among the most popular comedies from the repertoire. Tickets can be purchased from the NTB box office, from the Grand Hall lobby, as well as online on www.mystage.ro.   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

On 24 September and 8 October 2016, two events announcing the new season for children, at NTB! The Empire of Theatre awaits you! The story goes that in the year 6102, the Theatre Emperor shall descend in downtown Bucharest. Together with his cortege, the Emperor shall “rule” the place and transform it into a realm where Theatre will prevail. We thought that we have to wait for a long time. Upon a closer look, we realised that there is a mistake in the wording of the story. We switched the year, looking at it in the mirror and realised that 6102 was in fact 2016. The excitement of the fact that we had no more time to prepare the welcome ceremony made us change our minds and ask the Magician of Stories and his assistants for help. We wrote to him and the answer came quickly: I can, I am a Magician! Then, he got in touch with the Theatre Emperor and thus we could find out about the entire development of the event. On Saturday, 24 September 2016 and Saturday, 8 October 2016, as of 11.00, in the Media Hall, we invite you to two events announcing the opening of the season for the Abracadabra National Theatre for Children. Dear Children, you shall enter the gate of the Empire of Theatre, you shall cross the Enchanted Forest behind the Scenes - where Prince Echo awaits you with a great trial. In order to reach the Stage Empress, you need to get acquainted with the Magician of Movement, but also with Princess Sweet-Talk and Prince Chime. Many surprises await you in the Theatre Empire. Do not forget to come in disguise, as you shall be the protagonists of these events. If the Theatre Emperor cannot be present, we shall elect among you an Emperor and an Empress, which we shall baptise The Curtain. The new season of the National Theatre for Children invites you to become Fairytale Heroes in the Empire of Theatre!   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

On 24 September and 8 October 2016, two events announcing the new season for children, at NTB! The Empire of Theatre awaits you! The story goes that in the year 6102, the Theatre Emperor shall descend in downtown Bucharest. Together with his cortege, the Emperor shall “rule” the place and transform it into a realm where Theatre will prevail. We thought that we have to wait for a long time. Upon a closer look, we realised that there is a mistake in the wording of the story. We switched the year, looking at it in the mirror and realised that 6102 was in fact 2016. The excitement of the fact that we had no more time to prepare the welcome ceremony made us change our minds and ask the Magician of Stories and his assistants for help. We wrote to him and the answer came quickly: I can, I am a Magician! Then, he got in touch with the Theatre Emperor and thus we could find out about the entire development of the event. On Saturday, 24 September 2016 and Saturday, 8 October 2016, as of 11.00, in the Media Hall, we invite you to two events announcing the opening of the season for the Abracadabra National Theatre for Children. Dear Children, you shall enter the gate of the Empire of Theatre, you shall cross the Enchanted Forest behind the Scenes - where Prince Echo awaits you with a great trial. In order to reach the Stage Empress, you need to get acquainted with the Magician of Movement, but also with Princess Sweet-Talk and Prince Chime. Many surprises await you in the Theatre Empire. Do not forget to come in disguise, as you shall be the protagonists of these events. If the Theatre Emperor cannot be present, we shall elect among you an Emperor and an Empress, which we shall baptise The Curtain. The new season of the National Theatre for Children invites you to become Fairytale Heroes in the Empire of Theatre!   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu 

On 24 September and 8 October 2016, two events announcing the new season for children, at NTB! The Empire of Theatre awaits you! The story goes that in the year 6102, the Theatre Emperor shall descend in downtown Bucharest. Together with his cortege, the Emperor shall “rule” the place and transform it into a realm where Theatre will prevail. We thought that we have to wait for a long time. Upon a closer look, we realised that there is a mistake in the wording of the story. We switched the year, looking at it in the mirror and realised that 6102 was in fact 2016. The excitement of the fact that we had no more time to prepare the welcome ceremony made us change our minds and ask the Magician of Stories and his assistants for help. We wrote to him and the answer came quickly: I can, I am a Magician! Then, he got in touch with the Theatre Emperor and thus we could find out about the entire development of the event. On Saturday, 24 September 2016 and Saturday, 8 October 2016, as of 11.00, in the Media Hall, we invite you to two events announcing the opening of the season for the Abracadabra National Theatre for Children. Dear Children, you shall enter the gate of the Empire of Theatre, you shall cross the Enchanted Forest behind the Scenes - where Prince Echo awaits you with a great trial. In order to reach the Stage Empress, you need to get acquainted with the Magician of Movement, but also with Princess Sweet-Talk and Prince Chime. Many surprises await you in the Theatre Empire. Do not forget to come in disguise, as you shall be the protagonists of these events. If the Theatre Emperor cannot be present, we shall elect among you an Emperor and an Empress, which we shall baptise The Curtain. The new season of the National Theatre for Children invites you to become Fairytale Heroes in the Empire of Theatre!   Translated by Simona Nichiteanu