Comedy in two parts by Victorien Sardou and Emile Moreau
Translation: Radu Popescu

Artistic direction:  Otto Szombati Gille
Scenography: Eliza Popescu
Musical illustration: Ludovic Boross
Premiere date: May 24, 1979

Written in 1893, „Madame Sans-Gêne” revives the era of the Napoleonic Empire, being defined by Jules Lemaître as „a picturesque, sumptuous and sparkling historical – or anecdotal – vaudeville.” The character of Catherine combines the traits of two women whose real existence amused and inspired the French playwright. Thérèse Figueur, daughter of a miller from Pontoise, became a vivandière and accompanied the French army in the Napoleonic battles as far as Spain and Prussia. For her incisive, dynamic and talkative manner, Thérèse was nicknamed „Sans-Gêne”. The second historical figure at the heart of the play is Catherine Hubscher, a laundress from Paris married to Joseph Lefèvbre – the future Marshal of the Empire and Duke of Danzig. Intelligent, agile, she amused the Court with her picturesque and frank way of speaking, which always betrayed her modest origins. Both embody resistance to the hypocrisy of high society, having common sense, sincerity, generosity, and honesty on their side.

Distribution:

Catherine Madame Sans-Gêne:  Cristina Schiopu
Roussette and Mrs. Talbouet:  Ileana Iurciuc
Toinin and Mrs. Debrignoles:  Mariana Vasile
Julie and Madame de Savary:  Florence Manea
Fouche:  Ion Abrudan
Lefebvre:  Eugen Harizomenov
Neipperg:  Nicolae Barosan
Vabontrain Corso:  Laurian Jivan
Rissont Constant:  John Martin
Jasmine:  Grig Schitcu, Nicolae Toma
Caroline:  Simona Constantinescu
Eliza:  Elizabeth Jar
Savary:  Jean Sandulescu
Napoleon:  Liviu Rozorea
Saint-Morsan:  Marcel Popa
Lauriston:  Eugen Tugulea
Debrigode:  Marcel Segărceanu
About:  Mircea Constantinescu
Mrs. Bassano:  Anca Miere Chirilă
Mrs. Bullow:  Alla Tautu
Mrs. Aldo Brandini:  Olympia Tomorrow
In other roles:  Ladislau Tolnai Tank, Nicolae Covaci, Dimitrios Stefanidis

Technical director: Marioara Goina
Prompter: Florence Manea
Lighting: Vasile Blejan
Sound: Dorel Olea