Legendary theater director Eugenio Barba, founder of Odin Teatret and a pioneer of anthropological theater, will start the international “Iconic Personalities” programme at Grivița 53 Theater in Bucharest with a special two-week residency between March 7 and 22.
Marking his 90th birthday, Barba chose the newly established Bucharest theater over long-standing partner venues across Europe for the unique event titled Barba 90. Bridges, not Walls.
“I chose Grivița 53 Theater because it is at the beginning of its journey, and I like being part of beginnings,” Eugenio Barba said. “This theater needs my presence more than others that already have history. […] I believe in its artistic vision and look forward to meeting the Bucharest audience.”
The residency will feature 18 events, including four productions under the “Barba 90” module: three performances for adults – Hamlet’s Clouds, Compassion, and An Ordinary Day in the Life of the Dancer Gregor Samsa – and one children’s performance, The Thrilling Violinists. Each show will have multiple performances.
Moreover, the programme also includes public discussions, educational sessions, three masterclasses, three workshops, and a community performance involving members of the theater and the Grivița Veche neighbourhood.
The event marks a milestone for Grivița 53 Theater, an independent cultural space inaugurated after nine years of development through community support. The project was initiated through the sale of director Chris Simion-Mercurian’s grandmother’s house and brought to completion through the involvement of a community of over 14,000 contributors. It is a special initiative that bridges back to 1946, when engineer Liviu Ciulei built, with his own funds, a theater for his son, director Liviu Ciulei – today’s Nottara Theater.
irina.marica@romania-insider.com
(Photo source: press release)
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