Romanian theatres unite in Chișinău for Caragiale’s ‘A Lost Letter’
The tenth anniversary edition of the Union Tour – Romanian Theatre Bucharest–Iași–Chișinău concluded with a powerful performance of A Lost Letter on the stage of the Mihai Eminescu National Theatre in Chișinău.
This is the most recent interpretation of Ion Luca Caragiale’s classic comedy, brought to life by a distinguished ensemble from the Ion Luca Caragiale National Theatre in Bucharest, under the direction of acclaimed actor and director Horațiu Mălăele.
Written in 1884 and first staged that same year in Bucharest, A Lost Letter—a satirical comedy of political and social manners—remains strikingly relevant today.
“We brought the political dimension of the play into this production. I think it resonates more powerfully with the audience this way—especially since they often join in, reciting the lines with us,” said actor Marius Rizea.
“Caragiale is ours—a perpetual contemporary. We miss his voice, and whenever there’s a production like this one, created by Horațiu Mălăele, it’s a real joy,” added fellow actor Marian Râlea.
The ensemble performed two shows to packed houses, with endless applause echoing long after the final curtain.
“It’s such a warm, soulful audience—a heartbeat that never fades because it’s a Romanian heartbeat,” said Râlea.
The foundation of the Union Tour – Romanian Theatre Bucharest–Iași–Chișinău was laid by the late maestro Ion Caramitru of Bucharest and Petru Hadârcă, director of the National Theatre in Chișinău. Their shared vision succeeded in uniting the two banks of the Prut through theatre and shared cultural values.
“We’ll be back in the autumn for the National Theatre Festival—maybe with two or even three performances. What matters is that we’ll see each other again, share joy, and move one another deeply,” said Mircea Rusu, director of the Ion Luca Caragiale National Theatre in Bucharest.
Tune in to Cultura on April 25, only on Moldova 1, for exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes footage from the Union Tour in Chișinău, as well as updates on the National Theatres Vasile Alecsandri in Iași and Ion Luca Caragiale in Bucharest.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
