A new title will be on the programme of the NTB Studio Hall as of January 13th, 2022 - The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds by Paul Zindel. The show is another extraordinary encounter with a great actress, Oana Pellea. And with a text whose expressiveness, blending moments of drama, poetry, humour, sarcasm and self-irony, won its author a Pulitzer Prize in 1971.

Beatrice (Oana Pellea) is a single mother with a volcanic temper and an abusive character. She lives with her two teenage daughters, Ruth (Florina Gleznea), a non-conformist young woman hiding an emotional trauma, and the fragile Tillie (Cristina Casian), passionate about science and the beauty of life. A metaphorical play about three "marigolds" exposed to the strongest radiation, that of life: when the radiation is well dosed, the marigolds come alive; when the radiation is too strong, the delicate flowers wither.

The show is about the strained relationship between generations, the mockery of a miserable life, the despair of a mother living with the worry of tomorrow, but also about hope. With a well-balanced cast, bringing on the same stage extremely gifted actresses from different generations, Mariana Cămărășan's performance extracts poetry from the prose of a hard life, giving the text rhythm, frenzy, sensitivity and humour.

*

"Paul Zindel has written a masterful play, full of rhythm. It blends moments of pain, bitterness, beauty and hope. It is the most compelling writing of its kind since Tennessee Williams' Glass Menagerie."

Variety

"Final praise goes to Paul Zindel for creating a profound psychological setting. The guilt that hovers in this house is as palpable as poison gas. And yet, Zindel reminds us, strong, haunting, beautiful flowers sprout from these trash heaps. It's a touching thought, one of the honest and intelligent values of this splendid and disturbing play."

Time

Translated by Simona Nichiteanu

Foto Florin Ghioca