show-coupé

Artistic director: Magda Bordeianu
Scenography: Valeriu Cristian
Premiere date: February 23, 1980

Picnic on the battlefield
by Fernando Arrabal
Translation: Alexandru Baciu

Distribution:
Zapo:  Mircea Constantinescu
Mr. Tepan:  Liviu Rozorea
Mrs. Tepan:  Anca Miere Chirilă
Zepo:  Radu Vaida

At the end of the war, the Emperor wishes to celebrate his victory over his fiercest enemy with a grand celebration in the city. On the way to the festivities, he meets the poor Beggar, glued to the ground, sadder than ever after the loss of his only companion, his faithful dog. In the spirit of victory, the Emperor wants to prove his magnanimity by allowing himself a conversation with the humble Beggar.

Thus begins an exceptional debate between ruler and subject, a lesson about rich and poor, a clash between two worlds, an inspired dialogue about history, truth and life. But are the two really conversing, or are they just holding two parallel monologues, passing each other by? The answer remains a mystery, as do the answers to the tormenting questions: what does it really mean to be a master, to rule over people? Is there history? Is the beggar a stoic sage or a fool? Who sees the situation clearly? And what does clairvoyance mean, after all?

Only at the end of the play do the audience understand that the Beggar is blind. Which raises another question: Would the Beggar have spoken the same way if he had known who he was talking to?

The beggar or the dead dog
by Bertolt Brecht
Translation: Petre Stoica

At the end of the war, the Emperor wishes to celebrate his victory over his fiercest enemy with a grand celebration in the city. On the way to the festivities, he meets the poor Beggar, glued to the ground, sadder than ever after the loss of his only companion, his faithful dog. In the spirit of victory, the Emperor wants to prove his magnanimity by allowing himself a conversation with the humble Beggar.

Thus begins an exceptional debate between ruler and subject, a lesson about rich and poor, a clash between two worlds, an inspired dialogue about history, truth and life. But are the two really conversing, or are they just holding two parallel monologues, passing each other by? The answer remains a mystery, as do the answers to the tormenting questions: what does it really mean to be a master, to rule over people? Is there history? Is the beggar a stoic sage or a fool? Who sees the situation clearly? And what does clairvoyance mean, after all?

Only at the end of the play do the audience understand that the Beggar is blind. Which raises another question: Would the Beggar have spoken the same way if he had known who he was talking to?

Distribution:
The Emperor:  Radu Vaida
The beggar:  Liviu Rozorea

Technical director: Dalma Simionescu
Prompter: Florence Szabo
Lighting: Vasile Blejan
Sound: Dumitru Olea