A modern and native adaptation of the play „Orphans” by Dennis Kelly animated this autumn several cultural spaces in Bucharest (Teatrelli, ARTHUBx, Teatrul In Culise), but also the stage of the “Toma Caragiu” National Theater in Ploiești. The show produced by the Urbandada Association was co-financed by the National Cultural Fund Administration (AFCN) and was enthusiastically received by the public of all ages. Its cast includes talented actors of the new generation, constant presences on the stages of independent theaters in Bucharest – Iulia Alexandra Neacșu, Şerban Ghilvaci and Robert Opreaand the direction is signed by Laura Ducu (Session with the parents, Devour me, All you need is LUV, Long run).
Photo credit: Lavinia Ciocă
ORPHANS is a provocative show about family, limits and difficult decisions, and its performances this fall were accompanied by debates on topics such as discrimination and dysfunctional family relationships, but also by an acting workshop dedicated to teenagers from Communities no. 1 and no. 2 of the organization SOS Children’s Villages. It was coordinated by the actress Patricia Ionescu and addressed the proper expression and management of intense emotions and understanding how art can help as a form of therapy through a series of practical exercises and discussions based on them.
Photo credit: Lavinia Ciocă
Work on the show began in the spring, by adapting the themes and universe proposed by Dennis Kelly to the reality of Romania in 2024, and rehearsals began in the summer. The show finally took the form of a psychological thriller that reflects local realities and explores in the most current and transparent way themes such as family ties, racism, abandonment and solidarity in the face of adversities.
Photo credit: Lavinia Ciocă
“The play itself is powerful, full of tension and explores difficult themes, and this required a deep emotional approach. It’s quite a different role from anything I’ve done so far, my character is one who has to navigate extreme situations, facing moral dilemmas and deep fears. And the work process to get to what the public could see was intense, but one that I don’t regret in the slightest.”he stated Iulia Neacsu about the experience ORPHANS. “And my character is a very complex one, it comes with many elements that we find in key characters in the play, including Hamlet. The challenge was to find concrete elements that would bring it very close to today’s world, that would make it easy to translate to the public in Romania in 2024, without losing its essence and origin. Luckily we had the right environment and all the leverage to do it, and judging by the public’s reaction, it was a bet that we won.”he said Şerban Ghilvaci. “And unlike big productions with a lot of characters, here we had the opportunity to work in depth on each scene. It was a very intense experience, one of the most beautiful and relevant collaborations so far.”he added Robert Oprea.
The last performance this autumn took place at the end of last week, in the intimate space of the independent theater In Culise. The project team plans to continue the itinerant route of the show in 2025, hoping to reach more cities in the country.
“We want to find a permanent and constant home for this show, which is currently touring. Because it’s a brave show that doesn’t hide behind its finger. I think that, especially nowadays, it is very interesting to follow the path from the victim to the aggressor, in an increasingly polarized society, which shapes each of us in this sense. I liked in all of Laura’s performances the way she manages to reveal the nuances of the psychology of her characters, to bring you closer to them from a human point of view, without giving them easy justifications.he stated Oana FurdeaProject Manager of the project.
More news about the opportunities of the next performances will be posted on the pages of Facebook and Instagram of the creative community Wickenariumfounded by Laura Ducu to bring together the artistic projects (theatre, film, immersive installations) developed by her.
urban is an association established for the purpose of promoting film, art and contemporary culture, as well as supporting the education and professional and artistic training of the local community. Among the projects carried out under the association’s umbrella are the film program at Cinema Arta Arad, the film education program A New Me, the “Atelier de film” workshops and the coordination of the Union Cinema in Bucharest.
ORFANI is a project of the Urbandada Association, co-financed by the National Cultural Fund Administration.
The project does not necessarily represent the position of the Administration of the National Cultural Fund. AFCN is not responsible for the content of the project or how the results of the project may be used. These are entirely the responsibility of the beneficiary of the funding.
Partners: ARTHUBx, Creart, Teatrelli, “Toma Caragiu” Ploiesti Theatre, Backstage Theatre
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Source: www.iqads.ro
