Play in two parts by Alexei Arbuzov
Translation: Emma Beniuc

Artistic director: Valeriu Moisescu
Decor: arch. Paul Bortnovschi
Costumes: Lidia Bortnovschi
Music: Lev Solin
Choreography: Tóth Kovács Ilona
Premiere date: May 14, 1961

Subtitled "a play about people and events from the mid-20th century", "The Tale of Irkutsk" falls within the Soviet playwright's concerns to define communist consciousness and to render the social reality contemporary to him in the USSR. The play combines the modalities of ancient theater (chorus interventions) and the means of modern theater, giving rise to a dramatic construction that is not lacking in lyricism and emotion.

The heroes of the play are young members of the construction team of the hydroelectric power plant on the Angara River in Siberia. An important place in the play is occupied by the rivalry between Victor and Sergei. The conflict between them is not limited to the love rivalry to win the love of Valia, a cashier at a grocery store; in their relationship two distinct life principles collide, hence the different approach to love: for Victor, Valia is more of a fun partner, so their relationship lacks depth. On the contrary, Sergei sees Valia's potential, her good side, beyond the apparent superficiality and frivolity. He firmly believes that his love full of trust and responsibility will transform her, which ensures Valia's sincere, mature love. The two get married and have twins, Fedya and Lenochika, but their happiness is ephemeral. Going swimming on a hot summer day, Sergei drowns, saving two children from death, thus dying as a hero. The team leader and Sergei's colleagues demonstrate extraordinary solidarity with the widow Valya, whose life has become so desolate: for a while, they offer Sergei's salary, then invite her to join them on the excavator, to learn a trade that will allow her to support her family alone. The end of the play also depicts a changed Victor: understanding that he was wrong in his relationship with Valya, he acquires a new sense of responsibility, a new dignity and the ability to judge things in their essence. He helps Valya, makes her understand that he has never forgotten her, that he will follow her anywhere and that he will wait for her as long as necessary.

Distribution:

Valley:  Vera Varzopov
Larissa:  Geta Iancu
Serdyuk:  Constantin Adamovici
Sergey:  Liviu Martinus
Victor:  Ion Marinescu
Rodik:  Radu Reisel
Denis:  George Pintilescu
Afanasy Lapchenko:  John the Baptist
Zinka:  Sofia Albu
May: Oana Diamandi
Niura: Simona Constantinescu
The feast: Jean Sandulescu
The girl with the loaf:  Alina Vasilescu
The caregiver:  Doina Ioja Vasiu
The first young man:  Grig Schiţcu
Second young man:  George V. George
Anton:  Radu Cristinel
Lera:  Anna Körner
Serdyuk's first girlfriend:  Doina Urlățeanu
Serdiuk's second girlfriend:  Anca Miere Chirilă
Liosha:  Michael Vasilescu
Choir:  Valeriu Grama, Ilie Iliescu, Anca Miere Chirilă, Nicolae Toma, Doina Ioja Vasiu, Gelu Ivascu, Maria Balog, Doina Bocioc, Maria Gago, Eva Szabó

Technical director: Dalma Simionescu
Prompter: Elena Varlam