by Slawomir Mrožek
National premiere

Translation and artistic direction: Alexandru Colpacci
Scenography: Emilia Jivanov
Musical illustration: Delia Şerban
Stage movement: Francisc Valkay
Premiere date: September 24, 1991

The play "The Slaughterhouse" is built around the opposition between the pleasures of life (symbolized by the Violinist's attraction to the Flutist) and sublimation through art. The protagonist, a Violinist in search of the affirmation of his genius, retains deep down a childhood experience; he lives under the domination of his mother, an intelligent, experienced woman who is aware of this, but who fears that her son, now an adult, will no longer belong to her alone. The only means of keeping him close is art. The play evolves on the shifting terrain where eroticism and motherhood confront each other.

The contemporary plot is grafted with elements borrowed from the theater of the absurd and even from surrealism. Through its ideological complexity, the play invites reflection on the nature and functions of art, on the search for identity, on modern dreams and fears, on human freedom and dignity. In the end, what disturbs us more deeply: the roars of sacrificed animals or the sweet, divine sounds of a Mozart concert?

Distribution:

Parent:  Simona Constantinescu
The flutist:  Mariana Presecan
The violinist:  Daniel Vulcu
Paganini and the Butcher:  Tiberiu Covaci
Philharmonic Director:  Ion Abrudan
Goalkeeper:  Ion Ruscut
Butcher:  Ioan Munteanu, Alexandru Luca, Sorin Precup, Florin Tripa, Florin Stan
The child:  Dorin Presecan Jr.

Technical director: Eugenia Popa
Prompter: Florence Szabo
Lighting: Vasile Blejan, Iosif Balogh, Laviniu Goron
Sound: Sorin Domide