by Mircea Bradu
Absolute premiere

Artistic director: Zoe Anghel Stanca
Scenography: Eliza Popescu
Musical illustration: Gabriel Popovici
Premiere date: October 2, 1975

„"White Night" continues the tradition of historical plays on the stage of the Oradea theater, its action being set in the distant era of the voivode Menumorut. A meditation on historical themes imbued with lyricism and solemnity, the play is a "synthesis between historical information, Romanian political thought throughout the centuries and the mythical expression given by the people to fundamental existential states" (Dumitru Chirilă). The characters are archetypes of popular mythology who, faced with extreme situations, preserve authentic and defining attitudes and expressions of Romanian spirituality.

The wise Menumorut, a leader with a well-defined political and moral philosophy, is threatened by invaders in search of wealth and power. The voivode, however, wants to avoid war at all costs and opposes reason to force. He is even ready to offer his daughter in marriage to the son of the leader from the opposite camp. The dialogue between Menumorut and Usubuu, the leader of the conquering army, is a fierce confrontation of characters, mentalities and destinies. In the end, diplomacy and patience defeat force and arrogance, so that the undefeated Usubuu surrenders without a fight at the gates of the Biharia fortress.

The play "White Night" was televised in January 1978, as part of the show "Theater Evening" and was included in the agenda of the "Historical Theater Festival" in Craiova, the same year.

Distribution:

Menumorut:  Ion Tomorrow
Usubuu:  Eugen Tugulea
Lady:  Alla Tautu
Lady:  Ileana Iurciuc
Balea:  Ion Abrudan
The judge:  Eugen Harizomenov
Room:  Nicolae Barosan
Bora:  Marcel Popa
The soil of the North:  Jean Sandulescu
There you go:  Radu Neag
Chronicler I:  Laurian Jivan
Chronicler II:  Dorel Urlățeanu
Nurse:  Anca Miere Chirilă
Son of Usubuu:  Marius Nichita, Dimitrios Stefanidis

Technical director: Dalma Simionescu
Prompter: Florence Manea
Lighting: Vasile Blejan
Sound: Dorel Olea