14. 08. 2023

WORKS BY CLASSICAL AND CONTEMPORARY HUNGARIAN AUTHORS AT THE 14TH HUNGARIAN DAYS OF CLUJ

During this year's Hungarian Days of Cluj, the Hungarian Theatre of Cluj will feature four performances, all of which are written by classical or contemporary Hungarian authors.

Those interested in the theatre can also watch a guest performance by Enikő Szilágyi: the performance "This is Resurrection" will be shown on Wednesday, August 16, at 8 pm in the theatre's Studio.

This is what Enikő Szilágyi says about the performance she directed herself: it is a requiem, an exclamation mark and an ode to joy at the same time. "It's a requiem for our dead, an exclamation mark for our mistakes and an ode of joy to the fact that WE ARE." The authors' aim is to bring the message of the performance to all Hungarians living in the world (in minority). "What did it mean to remain Hungarian in our foreign-occupied territories, to fight for our mother tongue day after day, to preserve our culture and traditions? Only unity, a strong and deep sense of identity, our value-creating existence and our unheard-of love and respect for each other can keep us alive for the next thousand years." - says the Transylvanian-born actress. The literary evening was compiled by poet-friend Géza Szőcs, a Kossuth Prize-winning poet who passed away three years ago.

Literary selection and direction by Enikő Szilágyi; Music by Tibor Cári; Edited by Géza Szőcs; Piano by Tibor Cári; Cello by Attila Szabó J.

On Thursday, August 17, at 7 pm, audiences can see László Bocsárdi's stage adaptation of Zsigmond Móricz's realistic novel, Relatives, in the studio space created on the main stage. The production was also featured at the 5th Reflex International Theatre Festival in May in Sfântu Gheorghe.

“The many subtle nuances and details of the clear and subtle direction, as well as the sumptuous visuals and choreography, are to be praised. László Bocsárdi confidently chose the actors of the Hungarian Theatre of Cluj for the key roles, and their combined performances leave the audience with the impression that a blend of irony, playfulness, authenticity and depth is created on stage.” – wrote Judit Kiss about the production.

On Friday, August 18, at 7 pm, the Hungarian Theatre of Cluj and the Gyula Castle Theatre will present a joint production of the highly successful Young Barbarians, directed by Attila Vidnyánszky, Jr. After its premiere, the production received several festival invitations and award nominations. The Guild of Theatre Critics will present the 44th edition of the Theatre Critics' Awards, recognising the outstanding theatrical achievements of the 2022/2023 season. The Guild of Theatre Critics has nominated the Cluj Theatre in two categories for the production of Young Barbarians: the Best Repertory Company Production, while Éva Imre is in the running for the award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her portrayal of Barbarian B. Éva Imre was also nominated for the same role for Best Actress in a Leading Role by the Romanian Theatre Association (UNITER), and the Gyula Castle Theatre's Artistic and Social Advisory Board awarded her the Lajos Őze Prize for her outstanding artistic performance, for her original and complex portrayal of Béla Bartók.

On Saturday, August 19, from 8 pm, the audience of the Hungarian Days will also be able to see a novel adaptation: the stage version of Dezső Kosztolányi's Édes Anna, directed by István Szabó K. The production, which premiered in April, proved a great audience success.

“It includes all the frustrations of the world of the "lower classes", the janitor (Ferenc Sinkó), the chimney sweep (Attila Orbán) and not least the maids (Andrea Vindis, Csilla Albert, Csilla Varga, Melinda Kántor, Zsuzsa Tőtszegi) and the petty games that overcome them, but also the individual woundedness of each character and their (also) resulting lack of character: the arrogance and haughtiness of the lords, the bowing, fawning and opportunism of the servants.” – wrote Márta Bodó about the production.

Tickets for all of these performances can be purchased at the theatre's ticket office or online at www.biletmaster.ro.