The stages of the “Toma Caragiu” Theatre open this week to new and varied artistic experiences: a musical encounter with the unmistakable spirit and energy of Italy, the staging of two well-known texts from 20th-century Romanian dramaturgy, a comedy written by two of the masters of French boulevard theatre, and a story about self-discovery and coming of age beloved by children everywhere.
ITALY PRESENTS ITSELF – Wednesday, 29 April, 18:30, “Toma Caragiu” Theatre hall
A captivating performance, full of rhythm, colour, warmth and joy, in which the passion for music shines through every song, regardless of genre, a journey through the wonderful and beloved Italy, alongside soprano Maria-Mădălina Constantin, tenor Liviu Indricău, baritone Iordache Basalic and bass Alin Horia Manzat, together with actress Anca Sigartău and Italian performer Enrico di Calabria. The atmosphere will be enhanced by choreographic moments performed by the “Balletissima” dance ensemble, choreography by Alina Zahariuc. Hosted by: Martha Maria Mocanu. The show is organised by BES România. This performance is Sold Out.
GAIȚELE – Thursday, 30 April, and Friday, 1 May, 18:30, “Toma Caragiu” Theatre hall
One of the most well-known and appreciated plays of Romanian interwar dramaturgy, “Gaițele” by Alexandru Kirițescu captures, with sharp humour and irony, the life of the petite bourgeoisie in a provincial town, a universe of inability to evolve, hiding its fragility behind social masks and rigid conventions.
At its core stands the Duduleanu family, a symbol of a drifting bourgeoisie, prisoner of its own clichés and prejudices. Beneath the appearance of everyday concerns pulses an existence stifled by envy, resentment and pettiness. In counterpoint to this closed world, a love story takes shape, whose protagonists are fragile souls in search of true love and liberation from constraints.
BIRLIC – Saturday, 2 May, 18:30, “Toma Caragiu” Theatre hall
“Birlic” is a coherent, brisk, tasteful comedy, free of vulgar artifice. It speaks to us about bankruptcy, marriage, love, betrayal, opportunism, careerism, responsibility — concepts so serious, yet softened by uproarious humour, while the flow of good cheer mitigates the elements of satire and social criticism. (…)“Birlic” tells not only the story of a small bourgeois from Fălticeni, sent by his boss to the capital to try to save a company on the brink of bankruptcy, where he is caught in the whirlwind of Bucharest’s romantic intrigues. “Birlic” brings back to collective memory (…) the name of a great actor, Grigore Vasiliu Birlic, of a great playwright, Tudor Mușatescu, and of a tremendous man of the theatre, Sică Alexandrescu. (Alina Maer, scenesicuvinte.ro)
CACTUS FLOWER – Sunday, 3 May, 18:30, “Toma Caragiu” Theatre hall
A successful dentist is in a passionate relationship with a young woman to whom, in order to avoid any kind of commitment, he has presented himself as married and the father of three children. However, a reckless gesture on her part prompts the doctor to propose to her, only that his future partner is willing to accept on the sole condition that he will not break up his family. To support his lie, the man is forced to convince his devoted, sober and seemingly unromantic assistant to play the role of his wife, which triggers a series of comic situations, confusions and unexpected revelations. The game of appearances becomes ever more tangled, and the characters are forced to confront their true feelings, in search of their own path to happiness. This performance is Sold Out.
THE JUNGLE BOOK – Sunday, 3 May, 11:00, Imaginario Animation Theatre hall
Raised in the heart of the jungle, Mowgli sets off on an adventure full of unexpected events, in which he meets both endearing characters and others he must beware of: the cunning snake Kaa, the well-organised elephants led by Colonel Hathi and the noisy monkeys under the rule of the eccentric King Louie. With the support of his friends, Bagheera and Baloo, the boy manages to overcome every danger and learns valuable lessons about courage, friendship and loyalty. As his journey continues, Mowgli comes to understand that, although he is attached to the jungle, his true nature is human and that everyone must discover their own place in the world.
Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office of the “Toma Caragiu” Theatre Ploiești, telephone 0244.522.774, or online by accessing the Performance Programme section on www.teatruploiesti.ro.