The Romanian Cultural Institute in London is proud to support Romanian Connections 2008 in Liverpool - a project by ProFusion International Creative Consultancy that brings to Liverpool two extraordinary productions of the prestigious 'Radu Stanca' National Theatre of Sibiu, Romania.
The events making up Romanian Connections in Liverpool during November 2008 aim at communicating a sense of the depth and richness of Romanian culture, but the season is focused around two distinct and contrasting aspects of Romanian theatre. At one end of the scale is the revival of a famed international classic, Waiting for Godot, featuring two of Romania's most respected actors, and directed by the internationally acclaimed director Silviu Purcarete. On the other end of the scale is The Ball by the young director Radu Nica, a seamless mix of dance and music, humour and tragedy.
The contrast reveals the strength and vigour of the Romanian theatrical scene which is already known throughout Europe, as the result of previous forays during the 1990s. In Britain these included the visits of such directors as Andrei Serban, Silviu Purcarete, Mihai Maniutiu and Tompa Gabor, along with a succession of young playwrights to the Royal Court; the establishment of a theatrical network through colleagues like Richard Demarco CBE and Sir Richard Eyre; programmes, such as the NOROC theatre Exchange during the 1990s, which was run by UNITER - Union of Theatre People in Romania and supported by the British Council; and, of course, important productions like the Hamlet directed by Alexandru Tocilescu, with Ion Caramitru in the title role, at the National Theatre in London.
The current Romanian Connections season, product of a successful partnership between the public and private sectors, brings in theatrical personalities, such as Constantin Chiriac and Silviu Purcarete, who are already well known in Britain. This is also, the first Romanian event of its scale to be seen in the North West, or indeed, anywhere in Britain outside London.
Click here for the full programme.
This unique Romanian cultural venture is the first major exercise in promoting Romania and its culture in North West England, and it comes through the joint efforts of ProFusion International Creative Consultancy, a London-based organiser of events, and The 'Radu Stanca' National Theatre of Sibiu, with the backing of the two foremost Romanian non-governmental organisations in the UK: The Ratiu Foundation and The Romanian Cultural Centre in London.
Romanian Connections is financed through Promocult, the Romanian Government's programme to promote Romanian culture in the European Union. With the generous support of The Embassy of Romania in the UK, The Romanian Cultural Institute in London and The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
When: The Ball: Tuesday, 18 November 2008, 7 pm
Waiting for Godot: Thursday, 20 November 2008, 7 pm
Where: The Contemporary Urban Centre, 41-51 Greenland Street, Liverpool L1 0BS
Tickets: £5.00. Book your seats in advance from mail@profusion.org.uk.
