by Euripides
Translation: Vasile Covaci
Premiere in the country. With the title Thracian king The show was broadcast on national television.

Artistic direction: Sergiu Savin
Scenography: Eliza Popescu
Sound effects: Cornel Ungur
Premiere date: February 24, 1979

Taking its subject from Book X of the Iliad, the tragedy Rhesus focuses on the figure of the Thracian king who was, according to some scholars, a disciple of Zamolxes. The play recounts the events that culminated in the treacherous murder of the hero who came to the aid of the Trojans.

The play begins in an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear for the fate of the city of Troy. The brightest moment is represented by the appearance of the Thracian king, in a chariot with gold and silver, who restores the Trojans' confidence in victory. The Thracian expedition is not a simple war adventure, but has clear historical reasons and determinations. Rhesus arrives at Hector not to divide the spoils of war, but to immediately enter the battle. He does not have time to do so because the Dushans enter the camp, discover his tent and kill him in his sleep.

As Ioan Lazar notes in "Scânteia" of March 14, 1979, "the entire action is designed to impose the personality of the Thracian king. Here we have not a simple spectacle, but an act of bibliographical restitution." The authority and prestige of the titular hero are put at the service of those who want peace and tranquility; dignity is combined with the character's humanity, with his spirit of justice and, last but not least, with trust in the values of friendship for which he even gives his life.

Distribution:

Hector:  Ion Tomorrow
Aeneas:  Eugen Tugulea
Dolon:  Radu Vaida
The Messenger:  John Martin
Rhesus:  Liviu Rozorea
Ulysses:  Eugen Harizomenov
Diomedes:  Marcel Popa
Athens:  Elizabeth Jar
Aphrodite:  Cristina Şchiopu, Mariana Neagu
Paris:  Ion Abrudan
Muse:  Alla Tautu
The soldier:  Nicolae Barosan
Corypheus:  Mircea Constantinescu
Guards' Choir:  Laurian Jivan, Grig Schitcu, Marcel Segărceanu
In figuration:  Dimitrios Stefanidis, Lajos Török
Song performer:  Anca Miere Chirilă

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

The show was awarded with:
-Second prize for the show
-Award for scenography (Eliza Popescu) at the Short Theatre Week, Oradea, 3rd edition, 1979