GÁBOR TOMPA’S STAGING OF THE TEMPEST AND ANDRÁS VISKY’S DRAMA PORN OPENING THE NEW SEASON AT THE NATIONAL THEATRE OF CLUJ-NAPOCA

Gábor Tompa will direct Shakespeare’s The Tempest at the National Theatre of Cluj-Napoca. The preview of the play will take place on Tuesday, September 24, at 7 pm, in the theatre’s Main Hall.

When detailing his artistic vision, Gábor Tompa emphasizes the sacred nature of the play, stating at the same time that Shakespeare’s drama addresses also the duality of the world and that of man, for no one is born good or bad. Everyone comes into the world with equal potential, just as the Creator made us. Prospero also fluctuates between his childlike self and that of a wise man. The way to understand Prospero is through the supreme commandment of love and forgiveness.

Actor Marcel Iureș, who will portray the lead role of Prospero said that the character was a constant challenge, an eternal mirror in which meanings and impressions are continually changing. In Tompa’s vision, Prospero is not merely a wizard, but an enchanted machine who wants to discover more about himself, and the world around him, the world that he inhabited and where he needs to return to in his purest form.

The production’s creative team included set and costume designer Carmencita Brojboiu, composer Lucian Ban, choreographer Melinda Jakab, and video designer Radu Daniel.

The second preview of the production will take place on Sunday, October 6, while the premiere will occur within the program of the International Meetings at the National Theatre in Cluj Festival on Friday, October 11, at 8 pm. Next performances of The Tempest are scheduled to take place on November 3, and November 28, the latter within the 18^th edition of the Union des Théâtres de l’Europe Festival.

András Visky's drama Porn will be staged by director Răzvan Mureșan. The production’s premiere will be held on Friday, September 20, at 7 pm, in the Euphorion Studio Hall of the National Theatre of Cluj-Napoca. Porn was created for the Budapest National Theatre’s Ten Commandments Drama Competition, with András Visky approaching to play through the topic of the Thou Shall Not Steal! commandment. Porn depicts the abuses and inhumane events of the pre-1989 era, when people were vulnerable to the abuses of the communist regime.

In answering the question of why he chose to stage this particular play, director Răzvan Mureșan stated that he saw the potential of the text built upon: micro stories, untold events, and sad memories. The director expressed his hope that the production would help viewers gain insight into a world of which many have heard, but few truly knew.

Subsequent performances of the play will take place in the Euphorion Studion Hall on Friday, October 4, at 7 pm, and on Friday, October 11, at 5 pm, within the program of the International Meetings at the National Theatre in Cluj Festival.