The UNDERCLOUD Independent Theater Festival will hold its 19th edition in Bucharest from November 2 through 11. Its program features 19 productions ranging from reinterpretations of classical texts to experimental and interdisciplinary performances.<\/p>\n
The festival opens on November 2 with Funny Games<\/em>, directed by Botond Nagy and starring Ofelia Popii. Adapted from Michael Haneke\u2019s film, the 100-minute production examines violence, spectatorship and the increasingly blurred boundary between victim and aggressor.<\/p>\n Then, on November 3, Nicoleta Lefter stars in Alin Uberti\u2019s production of Antigone<\/em>. The program that week also includes <\/em> Femina, directed by Tamara G\u0103geatu; <\/em> Jocuri \u00een curtea din spate, directed by Ioana Barbu; <\/em> Umami, directed by Teodora Savu; and <\/em> Trap by Bogdan Georgescu.<\/p>\n Several productions will highlight short and experimental formats, including Andrei Bouariu\u2019s \u00cemplinirea tuturor dorin\u021belor \u0219i alte accidente<\/em>, Geo Vi\u0219an\u2019s <\/em> Liminal – Zgomotul din care tac, and Andreea Agapi and Raluca Cristea\u2019s \u00cen mintea Aglajei<\/em>.<\/p>\n The November 7 program includes Alexandra Pribeagu\u2019s Suflet de copil<\/em>, a production recommended for audiences ages 10 to 100, followed by Teodora Savu\u2019s black comedy <\/em> Menada. On November 8, Gabriel Scalschi presents <\/em> The Seagull by K. Treplev, a new interpretation of Chekhov\u2019s play.<\/p>\n Botond Nagy returns on November 9 with Medea\u2019s Children<\/em>, based on Milo Rau\u2019s text, which combines Euripides\u2019 tragedy with a real-life case. Other productions in the closing days include Natural Disasters<\/em>, directed by Alexandru Buescu, and Monica Stoica\u2019s <\/em> Rostopasca.<\/p>\n The festival will end on November 11 with the UNDERCLOUD awards gala, followed by Madame Pylinska and the Secret of Chopin<\/em>. Directed and adapted by Chris Simion-Mercurian from \u00c9ric-Emmanuel Schmitt\u2019s work, the Grivi\u021ba 53 Theater production stars Emilia Popescu and Luca Rusu and features Chopin\u2019s music performed live.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s performances will also use the newly opened Grivi\u021ba 53 Theater<\/a>. Award-winning productions without a permanent venue may be included in the theater\u2019s future season, festival founder Chris Simion-Mercurian said.<\/p>\n