A STORMY NIGHT
National Theatre Bucharest - "Ion Caramitru" Hall
July 10, 2025, 8:00 PM
A masterpiece of Caragiale's genius, „A Stormy Night” is the supreme bubbly, bittersweet, colorful and flavorful X-ray of the Romanian spirit, in all its aspects, with good and... more (un)pleasant.
In the new directorial vision proposed by VLAD ZAMFIRESCU, we rediscover Caragiale's characters for today's world, with the scent and emotion of a bygone neighborhood, where the music of Jean Moscopol resonates, inviting us to immerse ourselves, amidst aromas of spices and steaming food, through scaffolding, repairs, and cats meowing their “stormy” sorrow.
In this picturesque space, where the outer tumult gives way to an uncontrollable inner boil, the kitchen becomes the much-tried heart of the intimate universe. Jupân Dumitrache, played by NICULAE URS, is like the (master) chef of the house and table, carefully and ambitiously preparing the food, while allowing the hot-headed Ipingescu, in the strong performance of MIRCEA RUSU, to try his culinary-political talents, up to the point of „eating the holy Constitution”.
In the scenic suggestion of the formidable CARMEN TĂNASE, Veta is the keeper of cleanliness and order in this story with a hint of style, embellishment, and neighborhood betrayal, led with great charm by the sly and charming Chiriac, played by VLAD ZAMFIRESCU. Meanwhile, Spiridon (GABRIEL VATAVU/ȘTEFAN RADU) greets with a (too wide) smile all encounters with St. Niculae, bringing them down from the pegs.
In an absolutely surprising score, MAIA MORGENSTERN is an explosive and maddeningly delightful Zița, while MARIUS MANOLE builds a Rică Venturiano rich in anguish, threatening to shatter family honor, while negotiating, both ridiculous and sensitive, his role in the small homeland, but especially in the big homeland.
„The people dine at the table” in this production where painting, plastering, building, eating, and fighting take place, and where everything mixes, from ideas to feelings to ingredients and relationships, giving flavor to a „Stormy Night” like none seen before.
A lively and surprising show, with explosive comedy that makes you think, featuring an exceptional cast – it is „A Stormy Night” about national and personal values, about humor in misfortune, about patriots and family men, big shots and journalists engaging in battle, but above all about love, in more or less... traditional forms.
The spectacular scenography 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
