How strange life is! About two months ago – around April, when I had also turned a few years old – Mircea wrote a newspaper page about me and my work, as about a friend and collaborator you knew and appreciated. We even talked on the phone without knowing that it would be our last conversation!

We have known each other for a long time, since 1959, when we worked together as methodologists at the Regional House of Popular Creation Crișana, then, after he started "writing theater" and I became director, I promoted him, based on merit, and we played roles in each of his plays, whether they were called "Vlad the Impaler in January", "White Night", "The Decision", or others that followed.

I supported him, together with Elisabeta Pop, during his long period as director and we remained friends even after we were no longer directors…!

He wished me "happy birthday!" I am forced, like all his friends, to shed a tear for the man who was Mircea Bradu and to express my belief that his name will remain a reference for what literature and art mean - in this generous area for those who love and respect the creators of beauty!

...Someone else has left! Such is life!

Eugen Tugulea
Actor

The Romanian Theatre Union has announced the nominations for the XXIX edition of the UNITER Awards Gala. The jury, made up of theatre critics Oana Cristea Grigorescu, Claudiu Groza and Cristina Rusiecki, They watched shows that premiered between January 1 and December 31, 2020, and proposed nominations for 11 categories. The Regina Maria Theater received nominations in three of the 11 categories, namely: debut, best scenography, and best actor in a leading role.

On Saturday, April 3, from 7:00 PM, online for free on the Regina Maria Theatre's Facebook page, we invite you to revisit an extravagant, playful, shocking show: THE DADA CABARET, by Matei Vișniec, directed by Anca Bradu. Controversial and comical through the insertions of avant-garde artistic terribleness, but also serious through the notes of tragic political discourse, the show sparked contrary reactions, from roars of applause and admiration, to shock and bewilderment, so that the premises of artistic avant-garde were punctuated, without losing sight of the profound meaning of a disturbing century. 

Message author: Helen MIRREN
Romanian version by Ozana Oancea

Biography

Helen Mirren is one of the most well-known and respected actresses with an international career, on stage, screen and television, winning numerous awards for her powerful and versatile performances, including the 2007 Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in The Queen. 

The Regina Maria Theater is pleased to announce the premiere of the show THE ACCUSATIVE GENRE, written and directed by Mimi Brănescu, a delightful tragicomedy, in which the mix of comedy and drama recreates an episode from the everyday life of an ordinary family.

Given that Oradea has re-entered the yellow scenario and is playing again with 30% of the theater's capacity, THE ACCUSATIVE GENDER will have three consecutive performances as a premiere: Friday, March 5, Saturday, March 6 and Sunday, March 7, from 6:00 PM, at the Great HallSpectators who are unable to make it to the first three performances have the opportunity to see the show on Sunday, March 28, from 6:00 PM, at the Great Hall.

We are rapidly approaching the month of gifts and we want to turn our attention to the viewers who have been with us during this period, when our meeting at the theater, as we used to, is not possible.

The November program will be adapted to the current provisions from the authorities. Thus, according to decision no. 41/26.10.2020, issued by the County Committee for Emergency Situations of Bihor County, due to the fact that the incidence of 3/1000 inhabitants has been exceeded and Oradea is still in the red scenario, the shows are suspended and will be able to resume only after the restrictions are lifted.

Until then, we take a short trip to the virtual world and invite those who supported us during the pandemic, either by purchasing tickets to our productions or by reserving seats at this month's performances, to enjoy theater online.

The premieres of the Iosif Vulcan Troupe, "Three Tall Women" and "Inheritance of Luck", are prepared and will be rescheduled as soon as we can resume our activity with the audience in the hall. The shows "Christians", "The Wizard of Oz", "The French Teacher" and "...ESCU" will be broadcast for the time being for the viewers who are part of our database, free of charge, through the Eventim.ro platform. Access will be based on a unique code, which will be sent by e-mail one hour before the show. 

Tickets purchased for the shows that are part of the November program remain valid for future performances scheduled in the hall. Those who wish to request a refund are asked to send an e-mail to [email protected].

We thank you all for being with us and we are happy that, together, we manage to share precious moments regardless of the challenges we face.

Let's see each other again soon!

The Iosif Vulcan troupe of the Regina Maria Theatre kicks off the autumn theatre season in the Oradea Citadel and in the virtual environment with seven performances that will make us forget the daily monotony and routine. Get ready to welcome the first coppery and still gentle days of the autumn season in love, cheerful, conspiratorial, altruistic, receptive, decadent, intrigued, adolescent, a diversity of states and situations, which open up boundless imaginary horizons and create the freedom to dream.

The Regina Maria Theater includes in its August program, in addition to the performances that are part of the Iosif Vulcan Troupe's repertoire, related events and independent theater performances supported by the Artemotion Theater and the FITO Foundation, as part of the project THEATRE FOR ALL.

The first event we invite you to is the book launch DELICIOUS GREETING. THE DEPARTURE OF THE PANDEMIC IN 33 SONGS, which will take place on August 7, from 6:00 PM, in the Oradea Citadel. 69 artists contributed to the creation of this unique book, who want to convey the fact that any difficulty, be it a pandemic, is overcome through adaptation: play, dialogue, creativity and, above all, through the courage to move forward. The soundtrack of the event will be performed live by the musical project "Corbu", initiated and coordinated by Sergiu Corbu Boldor and Luiza Matilda Mitu. Access to the event is free!

The Regina Maria Theatre is organizing the SHORT PLAY CREATION CONTEST between July 15 and August 15, 2020, which aims to encourage original Romanian dramaturgy, especially short theater. If until now the contest was part of the Short Theater Festival, this edition is a stand-alone event, and the proposed texts will be read and appreciated by a jury made up exclusively of actors from the Iosif Vulcan Troupe.

The organizers do not suggest a specific theme, leaving freedom of choice to the creators. However, the number of characters will also be part of the evaluation criteria for the plays. Thus, we encourage the submission of plays written for 1, 2 or 3 characters, in a single act, which have a maximum of 25 pages (approximately 50,000 characters without spaces). Dramatizations are not allowed, nor are plays that have already been published or performed. Texts submitted for the competition will not be returned to the authors.

The works will be sent to the address: Teatrul Regina Maria, Piața Ferdinand no. 6, code 410021, Oradea, Bihor county, with the mention: "For the dramatic creation contest - 2020 edition" by August 15, 2020 (postage date). Participants may propose multiple texts, provided that they comply with the above criteria. These must be sent in a single copy, unsigned, and the name and address of the sender will not be mentioned on the parcel. At the same time, a sealed envelope will be inserted in the parcel, which will contain the author's contact details (name, address and telephone number) and a motto that must also appear on the first page of the work, serving as an element of recognition. This envelope will be opened by the jury members only after the winner has been designated.

The results of the competition will be announced by the end of August and the first three texts selected by the jury members will be included in the repertoire of the Regina Maria Theatre, as reading performances, will be posted on the Facebook page and on the Regina Maria Theatre website and sent electronically to all theatres in the country, with special recommendations. This year, no cash prizes are awarded, but following the public vote and the recommendations of the Artistic Council, one of the three finalist texts will form the basis of a performance from the repertoire of the Iosif Vulcan Troupe.

The Regina Maria Theatre invites you on Saturday, July 4, from 7:00 PM, to enjoy the first show created especially for online viewing: "The Snake in the Grass" by Alan Ayckbourn, artistic direction: Sebastian Lupu. The next performance has been scheduled for July 26, from the same time, also online.

The Regina Maria Theater has prepared a true theatrical feast for the people of Oradea this month as well.

The first show in July is "Christians" which will take place Friday, July 3 from 8:30 PM on the mobile stage located in the Oradea Citadel. On the same day, from 7:00 PM, the spectators who were present at the performance on June 14, which we had to interrupt due to the weather, are expected. The show is not recommended for people under 14 years old!

Saturday, July 4, from 7:00 PM, will take place online premiere of the show "The Snake in the Grass" by Alan Ayckbourn, directed by Sebastian Lupu, a dramatic, electrifying and suspenseful thriller about murder, blackmail and powerful, haunting images. The second performance will also be online, on July 26, from 7:00 p.m.. Tickets can only be purchased online, and the filming will be broadcast on the Regina Maria Theatre's YouTube channel. Spectators will receive the link to the filming of the show by e-mail, half an hour before the broadcast begins.

Thursday, July 9, from 8:00 PM, Oradea Citadel It transforms into a small Italian town whose inhabitants give love without limits. Lovers from Ancona they have adapted to the times, so you will be surprised at how things have changed since you last saw them.

Even though the impenetrable layer of clouds still persists, it's still summer and we miss a concert. Thus, Wednesday, July 15, from 8:00 PM, also in Oradea Fortress, we invite you to the show "Leonce and Lena" – CONCERTThe most likeable hippies will take to the mobile stage, eager to brighten the sky and the hearts of those present with a repertoire of songs composed by Ada Milea.

Sunday, July 19, from 8:00 PM, the show "Hamlet's Trap", by Nedialko Yordanov, directed by Petru Vutcărău, will offer us some images from the lives of the artists at Prince Hamlet's court, and Thursday, July 23, from the same time, amateur soprano Florence Foster Jenkins will also perform on the mobile stage in the Oradea Citadel, "In full glory!", as the viewing public has become accustomed to.

The month of July ends with a performance of the beloved show "Enigmatic Variations", which stars Sebastian Lupu and Petre Ghimbășan, which will take place on the 30th, from 8:30 PM, at the Oradea Citadel.

Due to the fact that the performances take place outdoors, we are subject to weather conditions and may have to interrupt or reschedule performances. Thus, the Regina Maria Theater reserves the right to make changes to the program!

To ensure we are prepared for possible weather surprises, please come prepared with umbrellas and capes.

Tickets can be purchased both online (www.bilete.ro) and on site starting one hour before the show.

For information about rescheduling shows, ticket validity or refunds, please contact our colleagues from the organization (between 9:00-16:30, Monday to Friday, and on Saturday and Sunday between 10:00-13:00):

• Bianca Segărceanu: 0752.165.001 (Arcadia Band)
• Virginia Oanțo: 0753.404.257 (Iosif Vulcan Band)

We look forward to seeing you at the shows!