The first theatrical text in Romanian attributed to Samuil Vulcan in absolute premiere in Oradea

Stage adaptation and artistic direction: Ion Olteanu
Assistant director: Ion Abrudan
Scenography: Tatiana Manolescu Uleu
Premiere date: February 18, 1978

„"The Murder of Grigorie Vodă in Moldova Tragically Exposed" is the first known original Romanian play, preserved in its entirety and in good condition. Written between 1778-1780, the play was discovered by historian Nicolae Densuşianu in Oradea in a precious collection of manuscripts belonging to scholar Samuil Vulcan. The staging of the play at the State Theatre in Oradea was a cultural act warmly received by the press and intellectuals of the time:

„"A truly reparative gesture, of returning to the stage, for the theater spectator, a text that, as can be seen upon careful observation, has valuable and significant implications, even certain artistic valences, considering that we find ourselves in front of a pioneering work in our theater and dramaturgy." (Lucian Drimba).

„"Bringing to the stage the work in which our dramaturgy finds its beginning work, both in the tragic and comic fields, whose content remains exemplary, constitutes an act of culture made to resonate in the consciousness of Romanians everywhere." (Virgil Brădeţeanu).

The vicious murder of the Moldavian prince Grigore Ghica because he opposed the annexation of Bukovina by the Austrians is a theme that enjoyed wide circulation in all the Romanian provinces. However, under the title that suggests a historical tragedy, a farce is actually hidden. The play was intended for representation during carnival or student parties, which is why the author includes playful episodes, apparently unrelated to the main subject. Customs and beliefs are depicted: a fair scene, the suitor, a sézătoare, but also burlesque episodes such as dances performed by soldiers or the predictions of a gypsy astrologer with an onion clock. The author leaves freedom of improvisation to the performers, as in the commedia dell'arte, with which this play has visible affinities.

Distribution:

Gregory Ghica:  Ion Tomorrow
The Emperor:  Dorel Urlățeanu emeritus artist
Pasha:  Eugen Tugulea
Mrs. Ghica:  Simona Constantinescu
Denial:  Ileana Iurciuc
Horcholina:  Anca Miere Chirilă
The Rhapsode:  Radu Vaida
The elders:  John Martin
Host:  Marcel Popa
Happy:  Mircea Constantinescu
Advisor Vasile:  Ion Abrudan
Advisor Ion Simion:  Grig Schiţcu
Secretary:  Marcel Segărceanu
Applicant:  Laurian Jivan
Turkish Advisor I:  Nicolae Barosan
Turkish Advisor II:  Nicholas Thomas
The doctor:  Jean Sandulescu
Soldiers:  Dumitru Cora, Mihai Tocai, Dumitru Mesaros, Vasile Covaci

Technical director: Elena Varlam
Prompter: Dimitrios Stefanidis
Lighting: Vasile Blejan
Sound: Dorel Olea

– Show awarded the Grand Prize at the 2nd Edition Theatre Weeks Short, 1978