Free adaptation by Ana Ioniță
National premiere

„"At the end of this season, the puppeteers from Oradea offer us, with their last premiere, a new proof of their value, of the professional seriousness that characterizes them. This "Carpathian Tale", inspired by the folklore as rich and diverse as the spiritual universe of our people, gives, first of all, the opportunity for the director Francisca Simionescu to justify her return to the Oradea theater (where she had established herself a few years ago). Benefiting from excellent incidental music, arranged by Romeo Chelaru from Romanian Television, which, I can say, is the determining element of the show, the director has created a ballad atmosphere in which popular lyricism confronts profound drama, in which the action "flows" into a unified, tense and captivating whole. Another important element of the show is the scenography (sets and puppets) created by the hand and thinking, certainly, of Paul Fux, who, through the simplicity of the lines and elements, through The monumentality and expressiveness of some puppets elevates the craft to the rank of art, the stage action to the level of a "moment of history".

To these two elements, the director added the third, no less important, the actors, whom she firmly guided towards clear, beautiful, flowing speech (perhaps less dramatic, at times), harmonizing them.

These people «behind the screen» responded to the requests, especially Petru Diaconu (the Storyteller) who, through a warm and pleasant timbre, an intelligent and sensitive phrasing, brilliantly leads the entire action of the show. I remembered the human, wise and serious figure of the prince turned shepherd, made with economy of means by Simion Tomescu, the gentleness, unacted, of the Girl interpreted by Mioara Diaconu, or the candor of the latter's «double», Căprioara, moved delicately and discreetly by Isabella Dombora. In the important role of the Sun appears Constantin Miskolczi, with progress compared to other characters played by him, but with a «cantando» a little outside the general style.

The moment of the appearance of the Dragon (specific to many of our fairy tales) is more than impressive. Maybe even more impressive than it needs to be and, I have no doubt, it will produce many shivers in the spectators. Both the sonority of the moment and… the puppet (imagined as an almost fleshless hand, tending towards the morbid) seem a bit «strong» to me considering the age of those in the hall. The moment should impress and not scare, which, I fear it will do! It should, I think, be blurred, like Ioan Moldovan, who wields and speaks «in role», to reap the positive fruits of his creation and not frighten.

I am convinced that, from the viewing I witnessed until today, the moment settled into its natural womb, happily integrating a show that leaves the best impression on you and that concludes, in a most expressive way, a fruitful season of work." (Eugen Ţugulea, Crişana, 1972)

„"Because the season, which has not long ended, meant a series of efforts aimed at making their profession an art, a series of days of assiduous work tending to raise the bar of the value — generally known — of this small but valuable work collective.".

And the first statement we make is that of the success of the intentions, the two performances seen (the third enjoys the same appreciations) marking an obvious leap in value compared to the past seasons. The accumulations are linked, first of all, to the activity of the director Francisca Simionescu (returned to Oradea after an absence of several years) whose professional maturity, fantasy and understanding of the taste and receptivity of children, mark the two performances with personality, with professionalism... «Carpathian Story» — written in verses by Ana Ioniţă, with warmth and love for our folklore... is a crowning of the season, in the performance accumulating a sum of artistic values meant to bring it the attribute of «artistic moment». Two performances, two successes!” (Eugen Ţugulea, Family, (August 1972)

Distribution:

The King: Simon Tomescu
The king's daughter: Mioara Diaconu
The Sun: Constantin Miskolczi
Deer: Isabella Dombora, Aurelia Laurian  
The narrator: Peter the Deacon
The kite: John Moldovan
In other roles: Matilda Vitcu, Ileana Stana, Ioan Oros, Stefan Amaritei

Artistic director: Francisca Simionescu
Scenography: Paul Fux 
Musical illustration: Romeo Chelaru (Romanian Radio and Television)
Premiere date: 14.07.1972.

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