In a week marked by the celebration of National Culture Day, on 15 January, the “Toma Caragiu” Theatre brings to the fore stage and cinematic productions of texts written by celebrated Romanian authors of the 20th century. At the end of the week, you will also be able to watch a grand musical, an adaptation of one of the best-known and most beloved stories in world literature.
MOARA CU NOROC – Thursday, 15 January, 17:00, foyer of the “Toma Caragiu” Theatre
“Moara cu noroc” offers a disturbing excursion into the dark side of human nature, where ambition, passion and the desire for wealth turn into destructive forces. Ghiță, a poor but honest cobbler, sets out on an apparently saving path when he decides to change his profession and move with his family to an inn at a crossroads, in the middle of a wilderness. However, the desire to surpass his condition leads him to make certain compromises and to enter the sphere of influence of Lică, a presence both fascinating and frightening, whose power corrupts, dominates and destroys destinies, and this choice will draw Ghiță into a slow but inexorable process of psychological and spiritual disintegration.
A timely and deeply moving performance, which invites the audience to a sincere reflection on moral limits, on our choices and on human fragility in the face of temptation.
Screening of the film MOROMEȚII 3 – Thursday, 15 January, 19:30, hall of the “Toma Caragiu” Theatre
The final part of the trilogy, with the screenplay written by director Stere Gulea, is inspired by the journals of Marin Preda and by documents that reconstitute the atmosphere of the 1950s, a period of maximum social and ideological tension, marked by the rise of the Communist Party, which became the only official political party in Romania. The film continues the story of Niculae, the youngest son of Ilie Moromete, who has become a successful young writer, the alter ego of writer Marin Preda, disillusioned with his political convictions and with the literary community, forced to bow to ideological constraints.
CONTELE DE MONTE CRISTO – Friday, 16 January, and Saturday, 17 January, 18:30, hall of the “Toma Caragiu” Theatre
The harbour and the immensity of the sea, the dungeon and the castle, the mysterious island and the square in Marseille, the inn of an innkeeper on the verge of bankruptcy, the courtroom and the ballroom, the winding streets and the silent forests – all fit on the small stage of the “Toma Caragiu” Theatre in Ploiești. And there is also room for a world of loves and betrayals, of envy and greed, of cruelty and loyalty, a world in which forgiveness and revenge challenge each other to a duel. Who will win? (…)
In a national premiere, the musical Contele de Monte-Cristo, an adaptation by Adriana Jighirgiu after Alexandre Dumas, directed and with libretto and music by Eduard Petru Jighirgiu, tells fluently and coherently the story of Edmond Dantès, the hero of many generations of readers. (…)
It is a hard-worked production, with a large cast, in which we should equally congratulate both the performers of the leading and supporting roles, alongside the members of the corps de ballet. (Alina Maer, scenesicuvinte.ro)
DESCURCĂ LUME – Sunday, 18 January, 18:30, hall of the “Toma Caragiu” Theatre
An adaptation by director Eugene Nacht-Stroe after the famous play “Firfirică” by the Stroe and Vasilache duo, the comedy Descurcă lume brings back to life the charm of the theatre of bygone times, in a story full of rhythm, situational confusion and charismatic characters.
At the centre of the action is a retired colonel, who lives with his family in a villa in Poiana Țapului. When he ventures into a romantic escapade, the entire household goes on alert, and the secrets are about to be discovered. In the midst of this situation, Firfirică appears – a kind young man, always ready to help, even though sometimes he only complicates things further.
Firfirică becomes the “reluctant hero” trying to repair the chaos created around him: limit situations, confusions, amusing blunders and improvised plans, all leading to a carousel of hilarious moments. This performance is Sold Out.
LEOPARDUL DE ARGINT – Sunday, 18 January, 11:00, Imaginario Animation Theatre hall
“Leopardul de argint” (The Silver Leopard) is the magical story of Li Sin, a stone carver, hardworking and modest, who dreams of overcoming his current condition. The encounter with an enchanted leopard opens up the way to an amazing journey and leads him to acquire powers he never even dared to think of.
One by one, Li Sin becomes a merchant, an emperor, the sun, a cloud and a rock, each transformation bringing him something he believed was missing: wealth, power, admiration, control over nature. Behind each fulfilled wish, however, an important lesson awaits him: wealth does not bring happiness, power without wisdom hurts, and greatness without heart leads to loneliness. Only then does he understand that true strength lies not in being above others, but in kindness, responsibility and self-acceptance.
Tickets are available at the “Toma Caragiu” Theatre Box Office in Ploiești, telephone 0244.522.774, or online, by accessing the Performance schedule section on the website www.teatruploiesti.ro.