“We hope not to disappoint the spectators. We are grateful to them for remaining faithful to the theater during the financial crisis and in times of a pandemic,” said directors of Chisinau theaters. After the period of bans imposed because of the pandemic, the spectators have again access to theater halls.
Vitalia Grigoriu, director of the Republican Theater “Luceafărul”, has told IPN that the theater is going through a difficult period. “During this period the previous years, the hall was packed and the fir tree was great and beautiful. Now the fir tree is small and sad. We are looking with optimism at the year 2021. We prepared the repertoire for the period until the end of the month and hope we will not put off anything as it is very hard to restore the program,” stated Vitalia Grigoriu. She noted they are working on a number of plays and will soon present a premiere – a comedy produced by Slava Sambriș. In spring, stage manager Dumitru Acriș plans to launch an artistic project.
“This Saturday and Sunday, we will resume by staging the play “The Father” that can be considered a premiere given that it was presented during a short period of time. The people call us and are eager to see our plays. They ask when and where they can buy tickets,” said Vitalia Grigoriu. On January 16 and 17, the play “The Father” will be shown starting at 6:30pm.
“Mihai Eminescu” National Theater director Petru Hadârcă said that they planned new productions, but the situation is yet uncertain. This year “Mihai Eminescu” Theater celebrates the 100th anniversary of its founding. A part of the projects abandoned because of the pandemic will be resumed, but a lot depends on the financial aspect, on the support of the state. “The theater, the actors are the visiting card of a country. Not only those involved can enjoy their success. We are all proud of the artistic performances at different festivals abroad,” stated Petru Hadârcă. He noted on January 15, 16 and 17, at 6pm, “Mihai Eminescu” Theater puts on there different plays.
Daniela Burlaca, artistic director of the Geneza Art Theater, said they haven’t set objectives for the whole 2021. The repertoire was compiled for January only. The tickets sell well as the people have longed for the theater. “We stage the plays we didn’t put on for a year. We will present again “Madame Bovary” and “Food for Monsters” at end-January. We try to work as before the pandemic, according to the normal pace of a theater with an integral repertoire and a public,” stated Daniela Burlaca. She noted that their troupe puts on the play TOC today, January 13. All the plays at Geneza Art start at 7pm.
The extraordinary public health commission of Chisinau allowed theaters to resume work as from January 6. Presence in performance halls must not exceed 50% of the seating capacity so that physical distance could be maintained between spectators. Disinfection, measuring of body temperature of visitors and mask wearing are mandatory. A play must last for at most two hours.
