- by William Shakespeare
- Translation: Lucia Verona
- Directed by: Alexandru Mâzgăreanu
- Set Design: Andreea Săndulescu
- Costume Design: Alexandra Mâzgăreanu
- Lighting Design: Daniel Klinger
- Music by: Alexandru Suciu
- Coreography: Baczó Tünde
"The Two Gentlemen of Verona" is a lesser-known play by the Bard of Avon.
Valentin leaves Verona for Milan to complete his education "in another culture", and his best friend, Proteus, stays at home, because he loves Iulia passionately. Valentin, who, at first, does not understand Proteus and does not believe in the power of love, falls madly in love with Silvia, the daughter of the Duke of Milan. His friend, also sent to the Duke's court, forgets his his loved one in an instant when he meets Valentin's beloved.
Director Alexandru Mâzgăreanu knew how to exploit the enthusiasm of young actors and the experience of the more mature actors to create a performance of great complexity, with many cultural suggestions that exceed the play and the space and time of the action. "Another culture" becomes, in the very special directorial vision of Alexandru Mâzgăreanu, the culture of the Far East, keeping, at the same time, intact the spirit of the Shakespearean story.
Cast
- Valentin: Andrei Bibire
- Proteus: Florin Aioane
- ANTONIO, tatăl lui Proteus/ DUCELE, tatăl Silviei: Liviu Manolache
- TURIO, un rival neghiob al lui Valentin: Andrei Cantaragiu
- SPEED, servitorul lui Valentin: Cătălina Mihai
- LANCE, servitorul lui Proteus: Lucian Iftime
- PANTINO, servitorul lui Antonio/ HANGIU: Maria Lupu
- IULIA, iubita lui Proteus: Ecaterina Lupu
- SILVIA, iubita lui Valentin: Cristiana Luca
- LUCETTA, servitoarea Iuliei: Florina Stănculeţ ,Mihaela Velicu
- EGLAMOUR: Grațian Prisăcariu
- PROSCRIS: Theodor Șoptelea
- PROSCRIS: Ștefan Mihai
- PROSCRIS: Cătălin Bucur
- DEMONUL: Alina Manţu
- PĂPUȘAR 1: Arina Cojocaru
- PĂPUȘAR 2: Tiberiu Roșu
Photo Gallery
Reviews
""The Two Gentlemen of Verona" is, above all, a performance about honor. What stands out is the extraordinary delicacy with which Alexandru Mâzgăreanu devises directorial solutions (such as the scene of blindness, where a thin black ribbon covers the eyes of the lover forbidden to see his beloved, or the final scene of forgiveness). The fluidity of transitions from one scene to another, seamlessly woven together, and the subtle interplay between tension and humor, love and guilt, elevate Shakespeare's story to a wholly original level. It preserves the spirit of the play while reconstructing it with a fresh approach. Every element of the performance—from the decor, rich and expressive in its tasteful simplicity (Andreea Săndulescu), to the thoughtfully designed and crafted costumes (Alexandra Mâzgăreanu), and the actors' interpretations—contributes to making this production both a visual and emotional experience."
Irina Cerchia – „Doi tineri din Verona și o iubire extrem orientală”, AMFITEATRU
https://amfiteatru.com/2020/09/09/doi-tineri-din-verona-si-o-iubire-extrem-orientala/
"The play "The Two Gentlemen of Verona" lends itself to various interpretations and leaves beautiful memories in the hearts of those who see it. At its core, it metaphorically presents an initiatory journey from adolescence to maturity, from one's homeland—where parents and friends reside—to other cultural spaces, where knowledge and new, sometimes heartbreaking, experiences can be gained. It is, at the same time, a journey of self-discovery, both inward and outward, exploring the essence of one's being."
Mirela Stîngă - „Doi tineri din Verona“ și călătoriile lor inițiatice, un regal vizual pe scena Teatrului de Stat Constanța” – CULTURA CONSTANȚA
https://culturaconstanta.ro/doi-tineri-din-verona-si-calatoriile-lor-initiatice-un-regal-vizual-pe-scena-teatrului-de-stat-constanta/
"Shakespeare is the quintessential universal author, translated and performed everywhere, adapted and interpreted in relation to the spiritual and intellectual fabric of each nation. In the vision proposed by director Alexandru Mâzgăreanu, Shakespearean spirit endures through its moral and principled dimensions. Stylistically and conceptually, we are placed in the Far East. Yet, this is merely a context—well-chosen and intuitive—for a tale of meaning, seamlessly woven by the actors without pathos or overexposition. It is a story that, all at once, you recognize as your own, regardless of where you live. In "The Two Gentlemen of Verona", the boundary between the illusion of reality and the fascination of the imaginary almost dissolves. Together, we embark from the concrete, the pandemic present, witness an American football game, and, in the next breath, become spectators of a Westerner's initiatory journey into Japanese culture. The sensation of floating through time and space is owed not only to the director but, above all, to the actors. Alexandru Mâzgăreanu entrusts a spiral-shaped production—challenging to steer and laden with profound implications—to young actors who possess remarkably generous capabilities."
Elena Coman - „Doi tineri din Verona – legendă shakespeare-orientală despre iubire și onoare”
https://amfiteatru.com/2020/09/23/doi-tineri-din-verona-legenda-shakespear-orientala-despre-iubire-si-onoare/?fbclid=IwAR3kD712o7VrYbq_vGx5Q_iRv-uFfl2NaYOtbPVSUHTJIE7qnOaE6XyDkBo
Do you believe that the experiences of recent months should prompt us to rethink how we approach theater? Should we explore the online realm more?* Alexandru Mâzgăreanu: Undoubtedly, this has been a very challenging time, and we’ve all been tested, but I don’t know how we can completely rethink something that has functioned in a certain way for over two thousand years. Of course, on a theoretical level, we can say many things, but in practice, it’s a bit more difficult. The essence of theater lies in the emotion that arises between the actor and the spectator. Any innovation should aim to keep this spirit alive.
„Nu cred în inovația de dragul inovației sau care vine dintr-o panică“ Interviu cu Alexandru MÂZGĂREANU de Silvia Dumitrache
https://www.observatorcultural.ro/articol/nu-cred-in-inovatia-de-dragul-inovatiei-sau-care-vine-dintr-o-panica/