Electra – after Sophocles and Euripides

Producer: “Radu Stanca” National Theatre Sibiu

Directed by: Mihai Măniuțiu

Set Design: Cristian Rusu & Mihai Măniuțiu

Costume Design: Cristian Rusu

Assistant Director / Prompter: Sanda Anastasof

Cast: Gabriela Pîrlițeanu, Diana Văcaru-Lazăr, Andrei Gîlcescu, Ștefan Tunsoiu, Pali Vecsei, Antonia Dobocan, David Cristian, Adrian Matioc

Chorus: Cristina Stoleriu, Veronica Arizancu, Arina Ioana Trif, Viorel Rață, Mihai Coman, Eduard Pătrașcu, Alexandru Malaicu, Ali Deac, Liviu Vlad, Vlad Robaș, Horia Fedorca

Live traditional music by: IZA Ensemble from Maramureș – Ioan Pop, Anuța Pop, Ioachim Făt, Voichiţa Tepei, Gheorghe Kohut

Duration: 1h 15 min (no intermission)

Synopsis:

A unique encounter between the canonical texts of ancient Greek tragedy, cornerstones of European myth, and live traditional music from Romania’s Maramureș region, performed by the IZA Ensemble. This fusion revives a powerful mythology in a strikingly modern key, shaping a raw and archaic space of cultural convergence. In this interpretation, Electra and Orestes are not just tragic figures, they are tools of fate, manipulated by a closed-off community that demands justice. (Electra is the axe, her role literally written in blood on her back by palace guards.)

This is a tragedy relocated from royal palaces to the edge of society, where myth survives in forgotten corners. It evokes a modern-day ghetto that clings to ancient rhythms and codes. Măniuțiu’s vision reflects this haunting blend with mirror-like precision, as the piercing voices and rustic instruments of IZA echo the primal force of vengeance, ritual, and fate.

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