A STORMY NIGHT
"Marin Sorescu" National Theatre Craiova
May 13, 2025, 8:00 PM
A masterpiece of Caragiale's genius, „A Stormy Night” is the supreme bubbly, bittersweet, colorful, and flavorful radiograph of the Romanian spirit, in all its aspects, with both good and... less (un)good.
In the new directorial approach proposed by VLAD ZAMFIRESCU, we rediscover Caragiale's characters for today's world, with the aroma and emotion of an old neighborhood, where the music of Jean Moscopol resonates, inviting us to penetrate, amidst the scents of spices and steaming food, among scaffolding, repairs, and cats meowing their "stormy" yearning.
In this picturesque space, where the turmoil outside turns into an uncontrollable inner boiling, the kitchen becomes the much-tried heart of the intimate universe. Jupân Dumitrache, played by NICULAE URS, is like a (master) chef of the house and table, carefully preparing the food, yet allowing the fiery Ipingescu, in the powerful interpretation of MIRCEA RUSU, to test his culinary-political talents, up to the point of "eating the holy Constitution".
In the scenic proposal of the formidable CARMEN TĂNASE, Veta is the guardian of cleanliness and order in this story tinged with style, embellishment, and neighborhood betrayal, which the cunning and charming Chiriac, played by VLAD ZAMFIRESCU, leads with great charm. Meanwhile, Spiridon (GABRIEL VATAVU/ȘTEFAN RADU) greets all encounters with St. Niculae with a (too wide) smile on his lips while knocking down a few things from their pegs.
In a completely surprising performance, MAIA MORGENSTERN is an explosively delicious Zița, while MARIUS MANOLE builds a Rică Venturiano rich in anguish, threatening to undermine family honor while negotiating both ridicuously and sensitively his role in the small homeland, but especially in the large homeland.
„The people sit at the table” in this staging where painting, plastering, building, eating, and battling occurs, where everything mixes, from ideas to feelings, ingredients, and relationships, giving flavor to a "Stormy Night" like never seen before.
An alert and surprising show, with explosive humor that makes you ponder, featuring an exceptional cast – it's "A Stormy Night" about national and personal values, about humor in misfortune, about patriots and family men, wealthy men and journalists battling, but above all about love, in its more or less... traditional forms.
The spectacular set design is signed by Imelda Manu-Jipa, the character costumes belong to Maria Ștefănescu, and Mădălina Ciupitu is the assistant director.
Cast:
MAIA MORGENSTERN – Zița
MARIUS MANOLE – Rică Venturiano
CARMEN TĂNASE – Veta
VLAD ZAMFIRESCU – Chiriac
MIRCEA RUSU – Nae Ipingescu
NICULAE URS – Jupân Dumitrache Titircă
GABRIEL VATAVU – Spiridon
Directed by: VLAD ZAMFIRESCU
Set design: IMELDA MANU-JIPA
Assistant director: MĂDĂLINA CIUPITU
