Not recommended for people under 14:  licentious language

Due to stroboscopic and light effects, of short duration and intensity, the show is not recommended for people with photosensitivity and those who suffer from epilepsy!

After the great success of her show 'Exile', Alexandra Badea returns to NTB with her new work 'Secondary', for which she is both writer and director. A Romanian-born writer and director based in France, Badea is internationally renowned for her plays that explore themes such as alienation, power dynamics, identity crises and the impact of globalisation on the individual.
In a world currently facing an unprecedented crisis, Alexandra Badea's "Secondary" explores the deep structural insecurities we are experiencing and envisions alternatives to our current situation.
The play explores themes such as existential crisis, secrecy, repression, guilt and collective trauma. All of these have the power to either unite or divide a group. Concepts of fragility, solidarity and individualism are also explored. "Secondary tells the story of a community that has worked together for many years. Their harmony is shattered by an event that triggers a series of conflicts. Past events resurface in flashbacks, revealing the toxicity and complexity of their relationships. Themes of power dynamics, domination, and the challenge of separating personal from professional issues are also explored. The disappearance of one of the characters acts as a catalyst for the actions of those left behind. Unresolved issues from the past are echoed.
Structured in a cinematic style, "Secondary" is characterised by short sequences, abrupt shifts in perspective and interwoven voices, creating the effect of rapid film editing that reflects the fast-paced and anxious rhythm of the contemporary world. The basis of the performance is a text that raises uncomfortable questions about individual and collective responsibility in times of crisis. Alexandra Badea sees writing as "a tool for understanding and imagination as a way of organising chaos".

Translated by Anita Neagu

Photos by Adi Bulboacă, Constantin Șimon and Florin Ghioca