tion of the National Theatre Festival (October 17–26) is themed with a call to action: “FNT 2025. It’s about you!”

According to the curatorial team, the shows featured at this year’s FNT do not form a mere panorama of the 2024–2025 season, but rather reflect deliberate choices made through ongoing dialogue within the team, based on professional, aesthetic, and meta-theatrical criteria—part of an inclusive process relevant to the current theatrical landscape.

“It’s about you!” is both a call for solidarity and civic responsibility at a turning point for society, and an affirmation of the aesthetic-dialogic exchange between artist and audience. The theme acknowledges the organic artistic initiative to use the stage as a platform for addressing current and pressing issues, while also relying on aesthetic coherence, consistency, and the self-reflexive attitudes that accompany the creative process. Moreover, it seeks to recognize the active presence and essential role of the public in the theatre ecosystem.

“It’s about you!” carries a wide range of meanings in this context and includes multiple nuances: the reflective nature of a gaze that mirrors reality through the artistic act; responsibility and conscious engagement; the gaze as an active link between stage and audience; the interdependent relationship of past, present, and future—with an emphasis on the tradition–innovation dynamic.

Beyond the show selection itself, the curators aimed to crystallize an extended curatorial concept that would harmonize the entire structure of the festival. This includes: the continuation of the FNT Educational module curated by playwright Mihaela Michailov; the launch of a module dedicated to associate artist Radu Afrim; and a series of additional events such as staged readings, debates, colloquia, installations, exhibitions, book launches, and radio theatre performances.

Selected performances

• “Air”, based on Charlotte Jones, with documentary texts by Roxana Piticari and Liliana Oprea, directed by Leta Popescu, set design by Bogdan Spătaru, choreography by Mihai Mihalcea, video collage by Irina Caraulă (Alaska), lighting design by Vlad Lăzărescu, sound design by Andrei Raicu, Metropolis Theatre, Bucharest
• “Alaska” by Elise Wilk, translation by Mária Albert, directed by Aba Sebestyén, set design by Beáta Sós, costumes by Judit Dobre-Kóthay, choreography by Tünde Baczó, music by Tibor Cári, co-production between the Târgu-Mureş National Theatre – “Tompa Miklós” Company and Yorick Studio
• “We Bombed in New Haven” by Joseph Heller, translation by Ramona Tripa, directed by László Bocsárdi, set design by József Bartha, costumes by Anna-Aletta Lokodi, music by Magor Bocsárdi, choreography by Noémi Bezsán, Cluj-Napoca National Theatre
• “Canine”, script and stage adaptation by Diana Nechit and Andrei C. Şerban, directed by Botond Nagy, set design by Raul Cioabă, costumes by Ioana Ungureanu, music and sound design by Claudiu Urse, lighting design by Cristian Niculescu, Târgu-Mureş National Theatre – “Liviu Rebreanu” Company
• “Don Quixote” by James Fenton, after the novel by Miguel Cervantes, translation by George State, directed by Alexandru Dabija, costumes by Maria Miu, ACT Theatre, Bucharest
• “It’s Only the End of the World” by Jean-Luc Lagarce, directed by Eugen Jebeleanu, set design by Oana Micu, original music and video by Ovidiu Zimcea, lighting design by Cristian Niculescu, choreography by Malena Silberschmidt, “Radu Stanca” National Theatre Sibiu – German Section
• “Animal Farm”, theatrical adaptation by Andrei Huţuleac after Animal Farm by George Orwell, directed by Andrei Huţuleac, set design by Maria Nicola, choreography by Ştefan Lupu, sound design by Marin Grigore, songs by Oana Puşcatu, lighting design by Lucian Moga, Mic Theatre, Bucharest
• “The Tempest” by William Shakespeare, translation by Ádám Nádasdy, dramaturgy by Anna Veress, directed by Viktor Bodó, music by Klaus von Heydenander, set design by Hanna Erős, costumes by Bori Zatykó, lighting design by Sándor Baumgartner, “Tamási Áron” Theatre, Sfântu Gheorghe
• “Goodbye, Lenin!” by Wolfgang Becker and Bernd Lichtenberg, translation by Elise Wilk, directed by Eugen Jebeleanu, stage adaptation by Bernd Lichtenberg, set design by Velica Panduru, costumes by Carmen Secăreanu, lighting design by Cristi Niculescu, video by Iustin Şurpănelu, Metropolis Theatre, Bucharest
• “At Dawn, the Light Is Harsher” by Mihaela Michailov, directed by Radu Apostol, set design and production by Gabi Albu, stage movement by Florin Fieroiu, music by Sebastian Androne-Nakanishi, lighting design by Radu Apostol, video by Elena Găgeanu, research team: Mihai Burcea, Adina Marincea, Mihaela Michailov, French translation by Mirella Patureau, Yiddish translation by Andrei Munteanu, Replika Educational Theatre Center, Bucharest
• “Scorched” by Wajdi Mouawad, translation by Zeno Fodor, directed by Alexandru Mâzgăreanu, set design by Andreea Săndulescu, costumes by Alexandra Boerescu, original music by Alexandru Suciu, lighting design by Daniel Klinger, State Theatre Constanţa
• “Iona” by Marin Sorescu, directed by Silviu Purcărete, literary translation from Romanian to Japanese by Mayo Nishiike and Florin Grancea, dramaturgy by Durian Sukegawa, original music by Vasile Şirli, set and lighting design by Dragoş Buhagiar, co-production of “Radu Stanca” National Theatre Sibiu and Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, Japan
• “Janovics”, inspired by the life of Jenő Janovics, based on a text by Miklós Vecsei H. and Nikolett Németh, with improvisations by the creative team, dramaturgy by Nikolett Németh, directed by Attila Vidnyánszky Jr., set design by Csaba Csíki, costumes by Zsuzsanna Cs. Kiss, music by Dávid Mester, choreography by István Berecz, Hungarian State Theatre Cluj-Napoca
• “Diary of Romania #HereWeDreamOfChange”, script and direction by Carmen Lidia Vidu, visuals by Mara Oglakci, styling by Olivia Stoica / Pinkbull Vintage, Masca Theatre, Bucharest
• “The Lesson” by Eugène Ionesco, translation by Vlad Russo and Vlad Zografi, directed by Bobi Pricop, set design by Oana Micu, music and stage movement by Eduard Gabia, “Marin Sorescu” National Theatre, Craiova
• “Lina” by Alexandra Felseghi, directed by Adina Lazăr, set design by Bianca Veşteman and Sabina Veşteman, sound design by Adrian Piciorea, “Andrei Mureşanu” Theatre, Sfântu Gheorghe
• “Long Day’s Journey Into Night”, a script by Roman Doljanski based on Eugene O’Neill, translation by Raluca Rădulescu, directed by Timofei Kuliabin, set design by Oleg Golovko, music by Timofei Pastukhov, lighting design by Ilia Paşnin, “Radu Stanca” National Theatre, Sibiu
• “Pride and Prejudice (sort of)” by Isobel McArthur, based on the novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, translation by Adrian Nicolae, directed and lighting design by Alexandru Mâzgăreanu, set design by Andreea Săndulescu, costumes by Alexandra Boerescu, original music and musical arrangement by Alexandru Suciu, musical preparation by Maria Alexievici, stage movement by Mariana Gavriciuc, Excelsior Theatre, Bucharest
• “Mary Stuart”, adaptation by Robert Icke after Friedrich Schiller, translation by Irina Velcescu, directed by Andrei Şerban, associate director Daniela Dima, stage version by Daniela Dima, set design by Helmut Stürmer, costumes by Corina Grămoşteanu, music by Alexei Ţurcan, video design by Andrei Cozlac, lighting design by Cristian Niculescu, “I.L. Caragiale” National Theatre, Bucharest
• “Messiah” by Martin Sherman, Romanian translation by Lorena Luchian, Alexandru Panait and Andrei Măjeri, directed by Andrei Măjeri, set design by Irina Chirilă, stage movement by Daniel Dragomir, lighting design by Andrei Ignat and Andrei Măjeri, musical preparation by Antonela Barnat, State Jewish Theatre, Bucharest
• “Death at the Revue Theatre”, concept, script and direction by Gabriel Sandu, choreography by Andrea Gavriliu, set, video graphics, and lighting design by Miruna Croitoru, costumes by Miruna Croitoru and UNArte Fashion Department, props by Ana Udreanu and Sanda Mitache, dramaturgy by Teodora Savu, video editing by Cristina Popa, music and soundscape by Andrei Dinescu and Viorel Andrinoiu, “Stela Popescu” Theatre, Bucharest
• “Nijinski. Agony and Ecstasy”, featuring Răzvan Mazilu. Choreography, concept and lighting design by Arcadie Rusu, set, costumes and video projections by Yasmin Asan, music by Alexandru Suciu, Odeon Theatre, Bucharest
  “Blood Wedding” by Federico García Lorca, directed by Hunor Horvath, film direction by Adrian Sitaru, set design by Elöd Golicza, costumes by Zsofia Gabor, choreography by Árpád Könczei, original music by Andrei Dinescu, lighting design by Cristian Niculescu, video design by Dan Basu, “Radu Stanca” National Theatre, Sibiu – German Section
• “Treasure City”, dramaturgy by Petro Ionescu, directed by David Schwartz, set design by Mihai Păcurar, choreography by Dominik M. Iabloncic, music and sound design by Mara Solomon, sound and lighting design by Cătălin Filip and Alex Maftei, Reactor of Creation and Experiment, Cluj
• “The Passion of the Fairer Sex in the Golden Age (as Seen on TV)”, original script and dramaturgy by Selma Dragoş, artistic direction and dramaturgy by Elena Morar, set and lighting design by Ileana Zirra, costumes and video design by Miruna Croitoru, choreography by Teodora Velescu, music and lyrics by Cristina Juncu, Nottara Theatre, Bucharest
• “The Prophet Elijah” by Tadeusz Słobodzianek, translation by Luiza Săvescu and Passionaria Stoicescu, directed by Botond Nagy, set design by Irina Moscu, dramaturgy by Diana Nechit, original music and sound design by Claudiu Urse, lighting and video design by Cristian Niculescu, “I.L. Caragiale” National Theatre, Bucharest
• “Wandering” by Doru Vatavului, directed by Irisz Kovacs, set design by Oláh Réka, music by Alexandra Chira and Adrian Piciorea, ProTeatru Zalău
• “Reenactment” by Catinca Drăgănescu, concept by Catinca Drăgănescu and Ciprian Făcăeru, direction by Catinca Drăgănescu, physical scenography, VR/AR & lighting design by Ciprian Făcăeru, costumes and scenographic consultancy by Lia Dogaru, VR/AR software development by Augmented Space Agency (Dan Făcăeru and Sabin Şerban), original music composition and sound design by Cristian Vieriu (interior 8), “Marin Sorescu” National Theatre, Craiova
• “Queen of the Night”, script and direction by Leta Popescu, set design by Bogdan Spătaru, stage movement by Elena Anghel, music by Csaba Boros, lyrics by Oana Mogoş, “Fani Tardini” Drama Theatre, Galaţi
• “Lungs” by Duncan Macmillan, translation by Mircea Sorin Rusu, directed by Cristian Ban, set design by Irina Chirilă, lighting design by Alex Dancu, “Ioan Slavici” Classical Theatre, Arad
• “Richard III” by William Shakespeare, adaptation by Vecsei H. Miklós, dramaturgy by Bessenyei Gedő István, directed by István Albu, set and costumes by Erika Márton, choreography by Franciska Szabó, Northern Theatre of Satu Mare – “Harag György” Troupe
• “Three Sisters” by A.P. Chekhov, translation by Raluca Rădulescu, directed by Theodor Cristian Popescu, scenic concept by Velica Panduru, costumes by Sabina Reus, music and sound design by Andrei Raicu, lighting and sound design by Cristian Niculescu, stage movement by Flavia Giurgiu, Youth Theatre, Piatra Neamţ
• “An Enemy of the People” by Henrik Ibsen, adaptation by Thomas Ostermeier and Florian Borchmeyer, translation and direction by Radu Iacoban, set design by Tudor Prodan, sound design by Aida Šošić, lighting design by Lucian Moga, “Queen Marie” Theatre, Oradea – “Iosif Vulcan” Troupe
• “An Angel Comes to Babylon” by Friedrich Dürrenmatt, translation by Árpád Fáy, dramaturgy by Réka Dálnoky, directed by László Bocsárdi, set design by József Bartha, costumes by Szőke Izsák, video by András Rancz, lighting design by Tamás Bányai, music by László Bakk-Dávid, choreography by Attila Bordás, “Tamási Áron” Theatre, Sfântu Gheorghe

• Focus: Radu Afrim

  • “The House Between the Apartment Blocks”, text, direction, and soundscape by Radu Afrim, translation by László Sándor, set design by Anna Kupás, costumes by Orsolya Moldován, choreography by Blanche Macaveiu, video design by Samu Trucza, sound design by Vince Oláh, lighting design by Radu Afrim and István Ádám, Târgu-Mureş National Theatre – “Tompa Miklós” Company
  • “Teatro Lúcido by the Infinite Shore”, script and direction by Radu Afrim, based on the texts Visit to a Man’s House in the Absence of His Wife by Adriana Bittel, The Dostoyevsky Variable by Bogdan Răileanu, and Boobs by Doina Ruşti, set design by Irina Moscu, choreography by Flavia Giurgiu, lighting design by Cristian Niculescu, State Theatre Constanţa
  • “A Joyous Day” by Arne Lygre, direction, soundscape and lighting design by Radu Afrim, set design by Anna Kupás, choreography by Alice Veliche, “Vasile Alecsandri” National Theatre Iaşi

• Guest Performances at FNT 35

  • “The Glass Garden”, based on Tatiana Ţîbuleac, stage adaptation by Mariana Onceanu, directed by Petru Hadârcă, set design by Adrian Suruceanu, costume painter Stela Verebceanu, original music by Valentin Strişcov, soundscape by Valentin Strişcov, stage movement by Oleg Mardari, video projection by Radu Zaporojan, “Mihai Eminescu” National Theatre, Chișinău, Republic of Moldova
  • “The Viscount” by Eugène Ionesco, direction and set design by Slava Sambriş, “Luceafărul” Republican Theatre, Chișinău, Republic of Moldova
    
    Written by Aura Marinescu |  3 iulie 2025, 16:45