- by Martin McDonagh
- Translation: Vlad Massaci & Cristi Juncu
- Directed and music by: Vlad Massaci
- Set Design: Iuliana Vîlsan
- Assistant Director: Teodora Petre
- Assistant set designer: Andrei Șova
- Video: Dilmana Yordanova / Kotki Visuals
The Cripple of Inishmaan - a black comedy about love and cruelty.
It's happening on the small island of Inishmaan, part of the Aran archipelago in western Ireland, County Galway, in a community of poor people, which looks a lot like the rural areas in Romania.
Billy is a crippled orphan of Inishmaan, one treated with complete lack of consideration, even aggressively, by all the other characters, but, paradoxically, ultimately proves to be loved by all.
In fact, the relationships between all the characters are rough, with blunt replicas, without any consideration. A community of people for whom not only there is no political correctness, but even the elementary decorum is often suspended.
And yet this is only the appearance, for beneath cold pragmatism and cruel struggle for survival, strong feelings and deep sensitivity are hidden.
Billy wants to leave, to escape, he's willing to do anything for it. The American dream, the Hollywood miracle attract him, and leaving is the only way to escape the mockery for his disability.
Cast
- Billy: Vlad Bîrzanu ,Vlad Lință
- Johnnypateenmike: Nicodim Ungureanu
- Kate: Laura Crăciun
- Eileen: Mirela Pană
- Bartley: Mircea Siromaşenco
- Helen: Otilia Nicoara
- Babbybobby: Marian Adochiţei
- Doctorul: Andrei Cantaragiu
- Mammy: Mihai Sorin Vasilescu
Photo Gallery
Video
Reviews
The Cripple of Inishmaan at the Constanța Theatre presents a story about the humanity behind toughness, about how humor (even if dark) is therapeutic, and about the colors, inspirations, and little exciting things hidden in the often dull and overwhelming fabric of life. In a way, through its lines and moments that are far from politically correct, it is also a show about how much honesty the audience can tolerate, because, after all, overly polished and careful theater somehow misses its point.
Cristina Enescu, Ziarul Metropolis
Vlad Massaci staged in Constanța a bittersweet story about a paradox: the harsher and overwhelming life is, the more people find simpler ways to deal with it, whether through sarcasm, defensive hardness or the passion for the sensational.
Cristina Enescu, Ziarul Metropolis
The Cripple of Inishmaan by Martin McDonagh - a success for the team of Vlad Massaci – director and Iuliana Vîlsan – scenographer.
Mirela Stîngă, Cultura Constanța
A truly formidable scenography, signed by the unpredictable and fascinating Iuliana Vîlsan.
Bogdan Burileanu, LiterNet.ro
Prior to any vision reaching the audience's perception, carefully filtered through the director's lens, Vlad Massaci is a pedagogue of the stage. The transformation experienced by the actors is clearly visible through the working process; the metamorphosis they undergo makes those taking on the proposed roles more than just good performers in engaging parts.
Gina Șerbănescu, LiterNet.ro
The Cripple of Inishmaan revitalizes the theatrical scene in Constanța.
Mihai Brezeanu, Liternet.ro
The team of actors adheres perfectly to the specifics of the characters and the world in which they move, works flawlessly and gives the story not only density, but also complete authenticity.
Bogdan Burileanu, LiterNet.ro
The story is beautiful and believable, with a multitude of nuances, twists, misunderstandings, and returns (well, consistency isn't the first virtue of these petty and comically picturesque marginal characters), creating an atmosphere of remarkable authenticity. One that can be detected, if you will, in any closed local community. The collateral conflicts bubble up, surprise, irritate, and ultimately entertain the audience, allowing them to maintain their self-esteem as a form of their indestructible superiority. This is because, since time immemorial, comic catharsis has, whether we like it or not, come from our personal relationship with something inferior. So... applause, please!
Bogdan Burileanu, LIterNet.ro
Billy's two aunts, Kate Osbourne – Laura Crăciun and Eileen Osbourne – Mirela Pană, are two characters built on gestures and stereotypes, making them flawlessly portrayed figures.
Gina Șerbănescu, LiterNet.ro
Mammy – a delightful performance by Mihai Sorin Vasilescu in drag.
Mihai Brezeanu, Liternet.ro
The Cripple of Inishmaan is a blend of humor, innocence, and tenderness hidden beneath a thick crust of coarse and cynical words meant to protect a sensitive core full of humanity. In fact, beneath the mask of toughness worn by almost all the characters, there are unsuspected sensitivities that only reveal themselves in the end.
Mirela Stîngă, Cultura Constanța
Otilia Nicoară is the revelation of the cast, promising that, under conditions of good anchoring in the current-future program of the Constanta theater, she will become one of the most interesting actresses.
Mihai Brezeanu, Liternet.ro
The performance has the power imparted by Martin McDonagh's text, as well as the actors' performance, which director Vlad Massaci has made sure to bring out the best in.
Mirela Stinga, Cultura Constanta
The atmosphere in which Billy lives—humiliated, ridiculed, looked down upon by everyone, all because of his disability—seems irreparably toxic. This is where Billy's great victory lies: first over himself, and then over the community. His victory is represented by the fact that, even if only for a brief moment, he managed to escape. Both in the case of the world surrounding Billy and in Billy himself [...], Vlad Massaci uses a carefully measured surprise effect. This is embodied in that "suddenly" [...]. No, the world of Inishmaan is not monotonous; it is far from being simply black and white. On the contrary, it proves to be nuanced, with brief, well-punctuated, and unexpected explosions of humanity. These are admirably highlighted by Vlad Massaci's direction.
Mircea Morariu, Adevărul
The Cripple of Inishmaan is a play of contrasts, twists, disguise, and brutal humor. But it is also a story of solidarity, love, and especially dignity. The fine humor, attention to detail, irony, and sensitivity of director Vlad Massaci elevate The Cripple of Inishmaan to the level of a masterpiece.
Revista Cultura
Vlad Birzanu from the Odeon Theatre in Bucharest masterfully balances his acting qualities, creating a complex and convincing character who hides beneath his fragility and physical handicap a strong personality and sharp intelligence.
Mirela Stîngă, Cultura Constanța
So... The Cripple of Inishmaan is a must-see. Because the way Vlad Massaci chose to tell this story has so much to teach us. It’s the kind of performance that makes you laugh, only to make you cry afterward. This show reveals a fragment of reality—the reality of trapped souls who feed only on the hope that one day their luck will change. The reality of seemingly resigned people who still have just enough courage to dream. The Cripple of Inishmaan isn’t about Billy, who, by the way, Vlad Bîrzanu plays incredibly well. It’s about the world Billy lives in. A world not so different from our own if we look closely… It’s about love and the way it changes us. About choices. About growing up. About fate. About cruelty. That cruelty that, in an absurd game, we could all, at some point, be guilty of... And, consequently, it’s a much-needed plea for kindness.
Mădălina Mihai, Cultural.21
Otilia Nicoară and Mircea Siromașenco, students from "Ovidius" - a revelation.
Mirela Stîngă, Cultura Constanța
The star of the Constanța troupe, Nicodim Ungureanu, delivers the most formidable dose of comedy in the performance.
Mihai Brezeanu, Liternet.ro
Vlad Massaci, a seasoned and well-established stage director, universally recognized for his attention to working with actors.
Mircea Morariu, Adevărul
Mirela Pană, excellent in the role of Eileen.
Mircea Morariu, Adevărul
Mihai Sorin Vasilescu is the author of a delightful, meticulously crafted travesty, never at risk of descending into caricature.
Mircea Morariu, Adevărul
Meticulous, with clear characterizing intentions—geographical, ethnographic, and related to mentality—overwhelming, with countless details and objects, each of which hints at a story, an event, or a tale, is the scenography by Iuliana Vilsan. This is all complemented by the musical illustration by Vlad Massaci and the video concept by Dilmana Yordanova.
Mircea Morariu, Adevărul
The character Billy the lame is played with remarkable levels of professionalism by Vlad Bîrzanu.
Mircea Morariu, Adevărul
The faux-tough Babbybobby – a truly remarkable performance by Marian Adochiței.
Mihai Brezeanu, Liternet.ro