5 November 2020, NTF press releases, News
Our ways of living, our ways of looking and looking at, our ways of moving and thinking, our joys and sorrows are different. In less than one year, the relationship with the other, the relationship with ourselves, the relationship with what is adown and above the human being- all have turned different. In the midst of these endless transformations, art, the way of creating and perceiving the artistic act cannot be anything but… different.
In the spring of this year, when we agreed to be part of the board of the current edition, we were optimistic and believed that NTF 2020 will be the same as always. With a Bucharest bathing in the sun or the rains of the end of October, with that unmistakable commotion of the theatrical celebration, with foyers in which people found each other again, hugged each other and experienced the joy of being together again, with venues overfilled with energies, emotions and… normality. NTF 30 was meant to be part of a vast program, an enthusiastic and, at the same time, honest “revisiting” of the past of the National Theater Festival, meant to bring in nostalgia, but also possible answers to the question: what were we and where are we now in Romanian theater?
In summer 2020, we were still enthusiastic. In parallel with the Best of selection, we chose the productions of the first part of the 2019-2020 season. We still believed that the virtual program will run along the real one, that the online space will be nothing more than an apostrophe applied to the real space. At the end of august, the month in which Chekhov’s orchards are sold, a shakespearean refrain became more and more audible and in September we knew it, we knew that “the time is out of joint”, and wanting to remain the same has become an impossibility. The festival could be nothing but different, online, that is…
We decided to build a concept based almost exclusively on revisiting the history of the NTF in the last three decades. A new wave of optimism stormed us, because such a theatrical archeology seemed noble and useful to us. Not forgetting, preserving memory, here’s something worth doing in times of the pandemic, we thought! But soon we understood that building a video- NTF was more complicated than it seemed. Especially in Romania, where filming theatre productions- otherwise than with a mobile phone, or by the goodwill of an “acquaintance- owning-a-camera” has not become a common practice yet. The tens, maybe hundreds of hours we spent searching in video archives gradually led us to selection criteria we had normally despised, like the technical quality of recording.
The selection proces had to consider aesthetic and technical constraints, artistic high points and accuracy of the recording, persistence in memory and material persistence. A diverse range of contradictory feelings came up along this furious search for our theatrical video-past: the astonishment to find how there is nothing more that unusable debris remaining of, oh, how many flagship productions, the fear that our theatrical identity in recent decades is, alas!, so fragile, but also the limitless joy of discovering a saved performance, the enthusiasm of getting on new tracks (productions filmed by Romanian Television, or preserved in theatre archives!), the agony and the extasy of a game of life and death of the art…
Finally, we had to face one last challenge: “the online broadcasting rights”. The Romanian theatrical patrimony, we found on this occasion, does not belong to everyone, but only to some, who can choose to show it to us or keep it to themselves. Can anyone imagine the great art of the world being removed from the public space and locked away in private hides?!
The current edition of the NTF involuntarily mirrors another line from Hamlet: “with one eye merry and the other crying”; laughing and crying masks… This ancient dual principle of theater representation is no longer just a form of coexistence of comedic and tragic, but of hope and anxiety, bloom and gloom of all kinds. Restlessness and Memory are the polarities that define the NTF 2020. Their substance is to be found in the obligatory meditations on present and future, in the Aesthetics of the Pandemic, in dialogues, conferences and exhibitions.
The great friend of the NTF, Professor George Banu, disguised either as ever-present, ever-inspired, Puck, or as old Firs, bringing wisdom in times of crisis, accompanied us all along this journey. The team of UNITER, with its catalysing energy, was the support that turned our efforts into reality. The national television and radio stations (TVR and Radiodifuziunea Română) stood by us, with passion and faith in the arts.
We thank them all!
Ludmila PATLANJOGLU
Maria ZĂRNESCU
Călin CIOBOTARI
FNT 30 / FNT ALTFEL
(online on www.fnt.ro, www.tnb.ro, www.tnrs.ro, tvr3.tvr.ro)
NATIONAL THEATER FESTIVAL
30th edition, November 22-29, 2020
MemoryNTF
LES DANAIDES, after Aeschylus, dramatised and directed by Silviu Purcărete, set and costumes design by Ștefania Cenean and Liliana Cenean, co-production „Marin Sorescu” National Theatre Craiova, Holland Festival, Wiener Festwochen, Festival d`Avignon, Grande Halle de la Villette, TVR. Associated co-producer TOFAN Foundation for Theatre and Film.
THE TEMPEST, after William Shakespeare, translated by Radu Nichita and Nina Cassian, directed by Alexander Morfov, set design by Nikola Toromanov, costume design by Andrada Chiriac, National Theatre Bucharest
HAMLET, by William Shakespeare, translated, adapted and directed by Vlad Mugur, set design by Helmut Stürmer, costume design by Lia Manţoc, masks by Ilona Járo Varga, co-production National Theatre Cluj-Napoca and TVR
A STORMY NIGHT by I.L. Caragiale, directed by Mihai Măniuțiu, set design by arh. Octavian Neculai, costume design by Janine Fashion Design, co-production Odeon Theatre, SMART and PRO TV
RETRO BIRD HITS THE APPARTMENT BLOCK AND FALLS ON THE HOT ASPHALT, translated by Sándor László, written and directed by Radu Afrim, set design by Irina Moscu, National Theatre Târgu Mureș –„Tompa Miklós” Company
THE WINTER’S TALE by William Shakespeare, directed by Alexander Hausvater, set design by Lucian Lichiardopol, costume design by Stela Verebceanu, National Theatre „Mihai Eminescu” Timișoara
THREE SISTERS by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, translated into Hungarian by Kosztolányi Dezső, directed by Gábor Tompa, set design by Andrei Both, costume design by Carmencita Brojboiu, Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
UNCLE VANYA by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, translated by Moni Ghelerter and Radu Teculescu, directed by Yuri Kordonsky, set design by Elena Dmitrakova, co-production Bulandra Theatre Bucharest and Casa de Producție TVR
UNCLE VANYA by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, translated into Hungarian by Zsuzsánna Koros-Fekete, based on the English translation by Paul Schmidt, translated into Romanian by Andrei Şerban and Kinga Kovács, directed by Andrei Șerban, set design by Carmencita Brojboiu, Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
YVONNE, PRINCESS OF BURGUNDY by Witold Gombrowicz, translated into Hungarian by András Pályi, directed by Lászlo Bocsárdi, set design by Jószef Bartha, costume design by Judit Dobre Kóthay, co-production „Tamási Áron” Theatre, Sfântu-Gheorghe and TVR
RestlessnessNTF
SPRING AWAKENING by Frank Wedekind, translated by Victor Scoradeț, directed designed by Vlad Cristache, music and lyrics by Daniel Rocca, Mic Theatre Bucharest
A DOLL’S HOUSE by Henrik Ibsen, based on the Hungarian translation by László Kúnos, adapted for the stage by Ágnes Kali and Botond Nagy, directed by Botond Nagy, stage space created by Carmencita Brojboiu and András Rancz, costume design by Carmencita Brojboiu, Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
WEST EXPRESS by Matei Vișniec, translated and adapted by Ágota Bereczki, directed by Zakariás Zalán, set design by Andra Bădulescu Vișniec, „Szigligeti” Theatre, Oradea – „Szigligeti” Company
TELL US ABOUT RELIGION, TEACH’! by Mihaela Michailov, set design, music, stage direction by Bobi Pricop, co-production „Marin Sorescu” National Theatre, Craiova and TVR
EXIT THE KING by Eugène Ionesco, translated by Vlad Russo and Vlad Zografi, directed by Andrei and Andreea Grosu, set design by Vladimir Turturica, National Theatre Bucharest
ZIC ZAC, a performance by Andrea Gavriliu, leaning on Ștefan Lupu, set design by Andreea Săndulescu
The art of the great ACTOR
THE ACTOR, after Mircea Dinescu, with Mihai Mălaimare and Mircea Tiberian, written and directed by Mihai Mălaimare, co-production Masca Theatre, Bucharest and TVR
AMALIA TAKES A DEEP BREATH by Alina Nelega, with Anca Hanu, a performance by Tudor Lucanu, National Theatre Cluj-Napoca
OLD CLOWN WANTED by Matei Vișniec, with Mircea Andreescu, Costache Babii and Virginia Itta Marcu, directed by Claudiu Goga, co-production „Sică Alexandrescu” Theatre, Braşov and TVR
DIALOGUES AND PHANTASIES IN JAZZ, after Nichita Stănescu, Dan Verona, Miron Radu Paraschivescu, Lucian Avramescu, Petre Stoica and Ana Blandiana, with Ion Caramitru and Johnny Răducanu, a performance by Ion Caramitru, co-production UNITER and TVR
SLICES, written and directed by Lia Bugnar, with Ofelia Popii, „Radu Stanca” National Theatre Sibiu
FREAK SHOW THE MOVIE, a film inspired din by the theatre performance FREAK SHOW, by and with Florin Piersic Jr., produced by SpiderFilm
DIARY OF A MADMAN by N.V. Gogol, with Marius Manole and Alexander Bălănescu, stage version and directed by Felix Alexa, ARCUB –Cultural Centre of the Bucharest Municipality
AT YOUR COMMAND, FÜHRER! by Brigitte Schwaiger, with Maia Morgenstern, directed by Mihai Măniuțiu, State Jewish Theate, Bucharest
NEPHEW by Adrian Lustig, with Tamara Buciuceanu-Botez and Șerban Pavlu, directed by Horațiu Mălăele, co-production „Teatru Contemporan” Foundation, Comedy Theatre, Bucharest and TVR
WELL… WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT? by Cătălin Ștefănescu, after the novel „Moromeții” by Marin Preda, dramatised by Cătălin Ștefănescu, with Marcel Iureș and George Mihăiță, a performance by Alexandru Dabija, ACT Theatre Bucharest
THE QUEEN MOTHER by Manlio Santanelli, with Olga Tudorache and Marius Bodochi, adapted and directed by Gelu Colceag, co-production “I.L. Caragiale” National Theatre, Bucharest and TVR
LE SOUPER by Jean Claude Brisville, with Radu Beligan and Ion Lucian, directed by Florentina Enache, co-production Odeon Theatre Bucharest and TVR
TOUJOURS L`AMOUR, with Carmen Ungureanu and Dan Puric, a performance by Dan Puric, co-production „Passe Partout Dan Puric” Theatre Company and TVR
LAST NIGHT IN MADRID, adapted after „Picasso’s Women. Jacqueline” by Brian McAvera, with Ala Menșicov, directed and music selection by Vitalie Drucec, National Theatre „Eugène Ionesco”, Kishinev
THE HUMAN VOICE by Jean Cocteau, translated by Manase Radnev, with Valeria Seciu, adapted for television and directed by Cătălina Buzoianu, produced by TVR
Premiere within NTF
CALIGULA by Albert Camus, translated by Alice Georgescu, adapted for televison by Diana Dumitru, Ovidiu Guzu and Silviu Jicman, directed by Silviu Jicman, set design by Bristena de Satmaari, music by Gabriel Basarabescu, a performance of Casa de Producție TVR
The hidden performance
CONFESSIONS ABOUT ANTIGONA – Alexandru Tocilescu, a documentary by Corina Magdalena Tudose
THE ROAD OF THE TRILOGY– Andrei Șerban, directed by and photographed by Alexandru Doru Spătaru, produced by TVR
FAUST, THE PATH OF THE MOMENT– Silviu Purcărete, written and directed by Laurențiu Damian, produced by Editura Video (Minsitry of Culture)
THE HISTORY OF A PERFORMANCE– Gigi Căciuleanu, directed by Andrei Măgălie, produced by TVR
THE MAGIC OF THEATRE AND FILM – Alexa Visarion, a film by Liliana Chițescu, produced by TVR
A CERTAIN STATE OF MIND– Alexandru Darie, a film by Alexandra Grigorescu-Ares, produced by TVR
A HAPPENING WITH JAZZ – Miriam Răducanu, a film- essay by Mircea Albuțiu
THE MAGICIAN KING– Ștefan Iordache, a film by Ludmila Patlanjoglu
THE DREAM– PORTRAIT LIVIU CIULEI, written by Lucia Hossu Longin, Nicolae Niță, directed by Lucia Hossu Longin, produced by TVR
Invited performances
ELECTRA by Sophocles, translated and directed by Antoine Vitez, set and costume design by Yanis Kokkos, film directed by Hugo Santiago after the performance produced by Théâtre National de Chaillot, video produced by INA éditions
THE CHERRY ORCHARD by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, translated by Luigi Lunari and Giorgio Strehler, directed by Giorgio Strehler, set and costume design by Luciano Damiani, produced by Piccolo Teatro Milano, video recording produced by RAI
„Words, words, words…”
Colloquium: „FNT30.”. Moderators Maria Zărnescu and Călin Ciobotari
George Banu and his guests: Ion Caramitru
George Banu and his guests: Mihai Măniuțiu
George Banu and his guests: Gábor Tompa
George Banu and his guests: Felix Alexa
George Banu and his guests: Alexandra Badea
Radu Afrim in dialogue with Călin Ciobotari
Matei Vișniec in dialogue with Călin Ciobotari
George Banu in dialogue with Călin Ciobotari
The Aesthetics of the Pandemic
Colloquium: „Theatre at the Limit. The Aesthetics of the Pandemic”. Moderators Ludmila Patlanjoglu and Călin Ciobotari
LIVE by Thomas Perle, set design and stage direction by Bobi Pricop, original music Eduard Gabia, German Department of the „Radu Stanca” National Theatre, Sibiu
DEATH KNOCKS, performed reading LIVE, 360°, with Maia Morgenstern and Mircea Rusu, after a text by Woody Allen, a concept by Florin Ghioca, a project of the “I.L. Caragiale” National Theatre, Bucharest
POOL (NO WATER) by Mark Ravenhill, a project by Radu Nica, Andu Dumitrescu and Vlaicu Golcea, Hungarian Theatre of Cluj
ZOOM BIRTHDAY PARTY by Saviana Stănescu, directed by Beth Milles, a production of Cherry Artspace (USA)
NEAR(LY) FAR– virtual photo exhibition. Author Florin Ghioca
FNT ON AIR
(Radio România Cultural & Radio România Actualități)
Portrait CRISTIAN MUNTEANU – director and dramatist
DOCTOR IN SPITE OF HIMSELF by Molière
THUNDER ON SYCAMORE STREET by Reginald Rose
THE GARDENS OF MURCIA by Josep Feliu i Codina
THE OVERCOAT by N.V. Gogol
A MOLDAVIAN REHEARSAL OR WE AND WE AGAIN by Costache Caragiale
LIFE IS A DREAM by Calderón by la Barca
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM by William Shakespeare
PLAYING WITH PHANTASMS by Cristian Munteanu, directed by Adrian Pintea
EMIL BOROGHINĂ Recital
TO WHERE YON STAR APPEARS– a poetic biography, the life and work of Mihai Eminescu, selected and directed by Gavriil Pinte
OVIDIU – THE EXILED ON THE SHORES OF PONTUS EUXINUS, after „Tristia and Epistolae ex Ponto”, selected and directed by Gavriil Pinte
Internationally awarded productions
ARGENTINA, written and directed by Ilinca Stihi
GOLD WINNER at New York Festivals Radio Program & Promotion Awards, 2013
BUCHAREST – UNDERGROUND by Saviana Stănescu and Toma Enache, directed by Toma Enache
Grand Prix Marulic Hvar, Croatia, 2009
ORPHEUS’ JOURNEY, sound script by Mădălin Cristescu, directed by Attila Vizauer
Grand Prix Marulic Hvar, Croatia, 2019
EXPLOSIVE by Elise Wilk, adapted for radio and directed by Mihnea Chelaru
GOLD WINNER at New York Festivals Radio Program & Promotion Awards, 2018
MOTHER, written and directed by Ilinca Stihi
SILVER WINNER at Grand Prix Nova Bucharest, 2015
THE METAMORPHOSIS, after the novella by Franz Kafka, written and directed by Ion Andrei Puican
SILVER WINNER at New York Festivals Radio Program & Promotion Awards, 2014
COUNTDOWN, written and directed by Mihnea Chelaru and Ion Andrei Puican
Second Place at Prix Marulic Hvar, Croatia, 2014
Word of culture
Attila Vizauer and Ema Stere in dialogue with NTF30 artists (Radio România Cultural broadcast)