News

The Critics` Awards 2016 have been offered by The Romanian Section - Theatre Studies of the International Association of Theatre Critics (IATC) on April 23rd, at the International Shakespeare Festival in Craiova.

The prizes were awarded to Ion Caramitru, an emblematic shakespearian actor for the role of Prospero in The Tempest at The National Theatre "I.L. Caragiale" Bucharest, and to Emil Boroghină, the Director of the International Shakespeare Festival in Craiova, a succesful cultural event, which celebrates its 10th anniversary.

The jury consisted of the members of the board of IATC - Theatre Studies: Ludmila Patlanjoglu (Honorary President), Octavian Saiu (President), Monica Andronescu (Vice-president), Irina Ionescu (Secretary General), Maria Zărnescu, Cristiana Gavrilă (members).

Laudatory speech

This year, Ion Caramitru has been appointed – by the British Council - "Shakespeare Cultural Ambassador" in Romania. A well-deserved title. Ion Caramitru is an actor with Shakespearean calling. He has graduated from the Theatre Institute with Hamlet, and throughout his long and brilliant acting career, he left his imprint on parts in legendary shows: Romeo from Romeo and Juliet, directed by Vlad Mugur, Octavius din Julius Caesar, directed by Andrei Şerban, Ferdinand from The Tempest, directed by Liviu Ciulei, Feste the Fool from Twelfth Night, in the vision of Aureliu Manea, the anthological Hamlet under the direction of Alexandru Tocilescu, role which has propelled him into the top 10 best performers of the famous character, of all times, worldwide.

Caramitru also encountered Shakespeare in two experimental scenic proposals: the absolute premiere with Edward III, directed by Alexandru Tocilescu, and the study-production Macbeth of Radu Penciulescu.

The shadow of Great Will has followed him also in his capacity as a director. He staged two remarkable productions: The Merchant of Venice and Othello with a prestigious theatre company from Japan.

In The Tempest from the National Theatre of Bucharest, shortlisted for this edition of the Shakespeare International Festival of Craiova, Ion Caramitru impersonates Prospero. A providential character for great actors and directors: from Kean, Michael Redgrave, John Gielgud, Vanessa Redgrave, George Constantin, Peter Brook, Giorgio Strehler, Liviu Ciulei. It is a providential character for Ion Caramitru, as well. The image of Prospero-Caramitru is striking. A domestic appearance, in shabby clothes, with dishevelled hair and a moustache, recalling Einstein. We all recognise a marketing image of a scientistic century, over which the spectres of the nuclear bomb and the Apocalypse are hovering.

Interesting is the evolution of Ion Caramitru’s performance from the premiere, under the pressure of the worldly tempest. For a moment, the island becomes, towards the end, a monk’s cell in which Prospero-Einstein faces the Universe and Divinity. In Ion Caramitru’s utterance of the famous monologue, we feel „the charmed and heart-rending reverie” of Shakespeare. His presence animates, fills the enactment, at the end, with a sacred emotion. Master of ceremony and raisonneur of the show, the actor shocks however during the applauses, when he tears off his moustache. The hidden unrest, like a prophetic gesture for the tempestto come, dissolves.

In confused and violent times, theatre becomes a privileged space for reconcilement and light, for a world threatened by the spectre of the Apocalypse.

Ion Caramitru’s designation by the AICT – Theatre Studies for the Critics’ Award 2016 rewards the art of an emblematic Shakespearean actor, ennobling at the same time the jubilee of the ten editions of the Shakespeare International Festival of Craiova and the quatercentenary celebration since the passing away of William Shakespeare.

Ludmila Patlanjoglu

Honorary President AICT – Theatre Studies