Actor

Date and place of birth: 20.05.1931, Vaslui

Studies: no specialized studies

He started acting at the "Ciocarlia" Ensemble in Bucharest, the theater department. After ten years, he transferred to the "Valea Jiului" Theater in Petroşani. For six years (1964-1970) he played numerous roles in shows directed by Marietta Sadova (who, having just been released from prison, was only accepted at theaters as far away from Bucharest as possible), Ion Olteanu, Călin Florian, Mihai Zirra. A chance for actors, a real theater school, extremely useful for Marcel Popa too – who did not graduate from a specialized faculty.

With an elegant figure, tall, well-built, with very good diction, qualities that recommended him for important leading roles in classical and modern drama, Marcel Popa created several characters that obviously contributed to his formation: Rică Venturiano ("A Stormy Night" by IL Cargiale), the Jester ("Twelfth Night" by William Shakespeare), Fiorello ("The Gardener's Dog" by Lope de Vega), Castriş ("The Red Passion" by Mihail Sorbul), Solness ("The Builder Solness" by Henrik Ibsen). For a year or two (1971-1972) he then played in Satu-Mare, where he had the chance, in addition to other good roles, to play in the show "Războiul vacii" by Roger Avermaete, directed by Alexandru Tocilescu.

In Oradea (since 1972) he played numerous medium-length roles and a few main ones. Let's remember a few: Brânzovenescu ( "A Lost Letter" by IL Caragiale), Mangini ("Tonight They Improvise" by Luigi Pirandello), roles to which he gave consistency also thanks to the intelligent vision of director Alexandru Colpacci.

He also played comedies, building his characters with intelligence and humor: Iacaccia ("The Trevi Fountain" by GL Bernini), Bungrazescu ("The Confusion of Worlds" by A. de Hertz), having Olimpia and Ion Mainea as partners. He was sober and elegant with his figure of an English lord, embodying gentlemen from the world of the aristocracy: Mr. Clinton ("The Scandalous Connection..." by JBPriestley), the French Attaché and Ion Bratiunu ("The Decision" by Mircea Bradu), Mr. Davenport Barlow ("How to Win Men" by W. Somerset Maugham), Mr. Cochette ("Cactus Flower" by Barillet - Grédy), Dr. Murgu ("The Art of Conversation" by Ileana Vulpescu). He gave a very good creation in the role of Kurt in the show "Play Strindberg" by Fr. Dürrenmatt, alongside his distinguished colleagues Simona Constantinescu and Ion Mainea.

He never refused a role, no matter how small, looking for in each character those traits that could give him relief (The Conductor – „The Nameless Star” by Mihail Sebastian, The Director of the Anonymous Society – „The Trial for the Shadow of a Donkey” by Fr. Dürrenmatt, A Villager – „The Cursed Village” by Mircea Bradu, etc.).

He also enjoyed acting in children's shows ("Crystal Heart" by Lev Ustinov, "Ivan Turbincă" by Ion Creangă, "Sânziana and Pepelea" by Vasile Alecsandri).

Avid reader, disciplined, serious, friendly, Marcel Popa was always considered a useful actor. Unfortunately, a stupid accident put him on the verge of death, when he could have played beautiful roles, characters appropriate for his age.

(Presentation by Eugen Ţugulea)

Artistic sheet – Oradea State Theatre

• Dr. Negrin in THE METER READER by Paul Everac, 1973, directed by Nicoleta Toia
• Titta-Nane in THE CHIOGGIAN QUESTIONS by Carlo Goldoni, 1974, directed by Farkas Ştefan
• David in THE SIXTH POWER by Vincenzo di Mattia, 1974, directed by Alexandru Colpacci
• Ulysses in THE TROJAN WAR WILL NOT TAKE PLACE by Jean Giraudoux, 1974, d.Szombati Gille Otto
• Performer in HOP AND WE IN A MAGAZINE, 1974, directed by Dorel Urlăţeanu
• Kurt in PLAY STRINDBERG by Friedrich Dürrenmatt, 1974, dir. Szombati Gille Otto
• Lawyer Sădeanu in LIFE IS LIKE A WAGON by Paul Everac, 1975, dir. Szombati Gille Otto
• Coty Adam in THE DICTATOR by Al. Kiriţescu, 1975, directed by Sergiu Savin
• Polyxenus in THE WINTER'S TALE by William Shakespeare, 1975, dir. Alexandru Colpacci
• Al.Ioan Cuza in EMINESCU IN VIENNA by Stelian Vasilescu, 1975, directed by Ion Mâinea
• Bora in WHITE NIGHT by Mircea Bradu, 1975, dir. Zoe Anghel Stanca
• Andy Cott in THE BOMB OF THE DAY by Ben Hecht and Charles McArthur, 1976, dir. Szombati Gille Otto
• THE QUEEN ON THE BALCONY by DRPopescu, 1976, directed by Alexandru Colpacci
• Iacaccia in the TREVI FOUNTAIN by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, 1976, directed by Sergiu Savin
• Chief of Protocol in APPASSIONATA by Aurel Gh.Ardeleanu, 1976, directed by Sergiu Savin
• The Judge and the Gravedigger III in THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT: STEALING A LESS by Dario Fo, 1977, directed by Sergiu Savin
• The French Attaché and Ion Brătianu in THE DECISION by Mircea Bradu, 1977, directed by Alexandru Colpacci
• Trick in SÂNZIANA AND PEPELEA by Vasile Alecsandri, 1977, directed by Sergiu Savin
• Performer in HORVÁTH IMRE TRIBUTE RECITAL, 1976, directed by Szombati Gille Otto
• Performer in WE ARE INDEPENDENT AND SOVEREIGN, 1977, directed by Eugen Ţugulea
• Carob in KIDNEY STONE by Paul Everac, 1977, directed by Szombati Gille Otto
• Performer in THIS IS LIFE, 1977, directed by Ion Mâinea
• Host in OCCISIO GREGORII IN MOLDAVIA VODAE TRAGEDICE EXPRESSA, 1978, director Ion Olteanu
• Bungrazescu in İNCURCĂ-LUME by A. de de Herz, 1978, directed by Farkas Ştefan and Ion Mâinea
• Mangini in TONIGHT IMPROVISING by Luigi Pirandello, 1978, dir. Alexandru Colpacci
• Tanasis in THE LITTLE PHARISES by Dimitris Psatas, 1978, director Szombati Gille Otto
• Diomedes in RHESOS (THE THRACIAN KING) by Euripides, 1979, dir. Sergiu Savin
• Wallner in INIMA by Mircea Bradu, 1979, dir. Alexandru Colpacci
• Saint-Morsan in MADAME SANS-GÊNE by Victorien Sardou and E.Moreau, 1979, directed by Szombati Gille Otto
• Sir Simon (The Phantom) in THE GHOST WITH Bracelets by Mircea Bereş, 1979, dir. Mircea Cornişteanu
• The Trembling King in HEART OF CRYSTAL by Lev Ustinov, 1979, dir. Szombati Gille Otto
• Brânzovenescu in A LOST LETTER by ILCaragiale, 1979, directed by Alexandru Colpacci
• Mihai in HOW CATINCA BECAME AN OLD GIRL by Nelu Ionescu, 1980, dir. Eugen Ţugulea
• Alexander the Great in DIOGENES THE DOG by Dumitru Solomon, 1980, dir. Alexandru Colpacci
• Ilihoi in IOVITA'S BOOK by Paul Everac, 1981, directed by Dan Alecsandrescu
• Jakin in Tsar Ivan Changes His Profession by Mikhail Bulgakov, 1981, dir. Alexandru Colpacci
• The Band Leader, A Gendarme, The Captain and the Servant in MASKS WITH SNOAVES by Ion Lucian and Virgil Puicea, 1981, dir. Ion Lucian
• Sartoni in DOUBLE GAME by Robert Thomas, 1981, directed by Szombati Gille Otto
• Vlad IV in the HOUSE OF THE FANS by Marin Sorescu, 1981, directed by Sergiu Savin
• Felix in the FLORENTINE HAT by Eugène Labiche, 1982, dir. Zoe Anghel Stanca
• The second senator in the coupé show THE SABINE BLESSIES and THE HORSE IN THE SENATE by Leonid Andreev, 1982, directed by Sergiu Savin
• Novel in the coupé performance THE SABINE BLESSIES and THE HORSE IN THE SENATE by Leonid Andreev, 1982, dir. Sergiu Savin
• Profiriu in THE CHANGE OF FACE by G.M. Zamfirescu, 1982, d.Eugen Mercus
• Von Kalb in INTRIGUE AND LOVE by Fr. Schiller, 1982, dir. Zoe Anghel Stanca
• The father in LOVERS AT NINE O'CLOCK IN THE EVENING by Adrian Dohotaru, 1983, dir. Zoe Anghel Stanca
• Doctor Murgu in THE ART OF CONVERSATION by Ileana Vulpescu, 1983, dir. Zoe Anghel Stanca
• Mr. de Sotenville in THE DECEIVED HUSBAND (GEORGE DANDIN) by Molière, 1984, directed by Ion Mâinea
• Performer in ENTERTAINMENT '84, 1984, directed by Gábor József and Gábor Kati
• Villager in THE CURSED VILLAGE by Mircea Bradu, 1984, directed by Sergiu Savin
• Cantemir in BACALAUREATE EXAM (FATA MORGANA) by Dumitru Solomon, 1985, directed by Victor Ioan Frunză
• Performer in ONE MORE SONG, ONE MORE Joke, 1985, directed by Gábor József and Gábor Kati
• Ilihoi in THE BOOK OF IOVIŢĂ (reprise) by Paul Everac, 1986, directed by Dan Alecsandrescu
• Count von Strack in AMADEUS by Peter Shaffer, 1986, dir. Alexandru Darie
• Mr. Cochet in CACTUS FLOWER by Barillet and Grédy, 1986, directed by Farkas Ştefan
• Mr. X in STRESS by Mircea Radu Iacoban, 1986, dir. Dan Alecsandrescu
• the role of the Director in TEN LAUGHTER by Tudor Popescu, 1987, dir. Alexandru Darie
• A voice in THE MASTER SINGER by Frank Wedekind, 1988, dir. Laurian Oniga
• Mr. Davenport Barlow in HOW TO WIN MEN (PENELOPE) by Somerset Maugham, 1988, directed by Farkas Ştefan
• Anselmo in MARRIAGE BY COMPETITION by Carlo Goldoni, 1988, directed by Nicoleta Toia
• Corneliu Barbu in THE MIDNIGHT WALTZ by Viorel Cacoveanu, 1989, directed by Nicoleta Toia
• Performer in UNCENSORED, 1990, directed by Sergiu Savin
• Piscik in THE CHERRY ORCHARD by A.P. Chekhov, 1990, dir. Laurian Oniga
• George Bertoux in LIFTING by Pierre Chesnot, 1990, dir. Szombati Gille Otto
• Smetanîci in WE ARE URGENTLY LOOKING FOR A COMMUNIST GRANDMOTHER (THE MANDATE) by Nikolai Erdman, 1991, dir. Cornel Mihalache
• Francisco in THE STORM by William Shakespeare, 1992, dir. Tudor Chirilă
• Marley and Don Quichotte in A CHRISTMAS STORY by Silvia Kerim after Charles Dickens, 1992, dir. Rodica Radu
• Sir Dinadan in A YANKEE IN KING ARTHUR'S COURT by Mark Twain, 1993, d.Eugen Harizomenov
• Dupont-Dufort The Father in THE THIEVES' BALL by Jean Anouilh, 1993, dir. Louise Dănceanu
• A suitor and the Father in OVER THE SEVEN SEAS AND SEVEN… FAIRY TALES by Gheorghe Stana, 1994, dir. Gheorghe Stana
• A Wallachian in the ART OF COMEDY by Eduardo de Filippo, 1994, directed by Mihai Lungeanu
• Mr. Clinton in THE SCANDALOUS AFFAIR BETWEEN MR. KETTLE AND MRS. MOON by JBPriestley, 1995, directed by Szombati Gille Otto
• The director of the joint-stock company in THE TRIAL FOR A DONKEY'S SHADOW by Friedrich Dürrenmatt, 1997, dir. Cristian Ioan
• The Boyar in IVAN TURBINCĂ after Ion CreangĂ, 1997, dir. Daniel Vulcu
• Attilio in THE JOBEN by Eduardo de Filippo, 1997, dir. Ion Ciubotaru
• Stratos in the COLD by Marin Sorescu, 1998, dir. Ion Ciubotaru
• Chremes in THE ASSEMBLY OF WOMEN by Aristophanes, 1998, d.Eugen Harizomenov
• The conductor in THE NAMELESS STAR by Mihail Sebastian, 1999, directed by Florin Antoniu
• The adulterous husband in THE FANTASTIC AND SAD STORY OF CANDIDA ERÉNDIRA AND HER RUDE GRANDMOTHER, dramatization of the short story by G.G. Márquez by Ion Sapdaru, 2000, dir. Ion Sapdaru
• The Old Servant in THE MISUNDERSTANDING by Albert Camus, 2001, dir. Alina Hiristea
• Don Louis in DOM JUAN by Molière, 2001, directed by Radu Nichifor