After much rehearsal, artistic debates and anticipation developed within our theatrical workshops, which started in early February, we are thrilled to present “The Bald Prima Donna”, Eugène Ionesco’s absurdist masterpiece, brought to life by a talented cast featuring Romanian actors who call London home. Their dedication and passion enrich the city’s vibrant theatre scene, showcasing the depth and versatility of Romanian talent on the British stage. Don’t miss this captivating performance, an intellectually stimulating and darkly comic journey that will leave you questioning the very fabric of our reality.
“The Bald Prima Donna” is Eugène Ionesco’s surreal exploration of a world in which language is nothing but an empty shell and human connection becomes a fleeting fantasy. As reality begins to crumble, characters are caught in a web of inescapable nonsense, desperately trying to break free from the absurdity that defines their existence. This play consecrated the giant French-Romanian dramaturg as the founder of the absurdist current in contemporary theatre. Moreover, this year, we celebrate 75 years since the world premiere of this show in Paris.
The Bald Prima Donna
by Eugène Ionesco
English version by Donald Watson
Director, Set & Costume Designer: Ema Nicola
Cast: Tudor Gurămultă -Mr Smith, Bianca Topor -Mrs Smith, Mihai Costache -Mr Martin, Elena Vasilache -Mrs. Martin, Ioana Goga -Mary, The maid, Olivia Negrean -The Captain of the Fire Brigade
Lighting design: Leo Băcică
The show is performed in English!
Who knows where truth ends and an opposite reality begins? The world around us spins into chaos, and yet, all we can do is chatter. In the face of such madness, can we still hold on to meaning - or will we too become part of the illusion?
In a typical suburban living room, Mr. and Mrs. Smith engage in the most trivial of conversations as they slowly lose grip on the very notion of communication. The endless repetition, the meaningless exchanges - it’s all so familiar, yet so unsettling. The more they speak, the less they say, until words themselves become a game of pure absurdity.
“La Cantatrice Chauve or The Bald Prima Donna remains relevant today as it highlights the failure of language, the rupture between people, and the absurdity of seeking meaning in a chaotic world. In today’s digital age, where the verbal link between people is often superficial and fragmented, the play critiques the emptiness of modern interactions. It mirrors our shallow constant communication that mostly leads to disconnection.” Ema Nicola
When: 27 Mar 2025, 19:00 – 21:00
Where: Romanian Cultural Institute, 1 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PH, UK
