ATENA 5

Synopsis

"Athena 5" is a unique comedy that brings to the fore the humor and playful spirit of the Shakespearean classic "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Inspired by the craftsman scenes in the original play, the show focuses on an unexpected group of protagonists: five elderly people from a nursing home, determined to stage their own theater show. Amidst the chaos and mix of comic confusion, these elderly people bring to life their passion for dramatic art and creative expression. With humor and warmth, the show takes us through the stages of their preparation for the show, from unconventional rehearsals to funny moments behind the scenes.

Chronicles:

When we say Shakespeare, we probably have an image in mind, at least indicatively, with which we associate this name. Maybe a forest full of fairies and fireflies, maybe eccentric kings and imposing queens. However, art teaches us that it is not good to have preconceived ideas, because then we will not be surprised.

Laurențiu Tudor, in the show he directs, "Atena 5", proposes a Shakespeare in a space where we probably wouldn't think we could find the author. At the nursing home. Starting from the scene with the craftsmen in "A Midsummer Night's Dream", the residents of the nursing home decide to make their own show, which they then propose at the International Shakespeare Festival in Craiova. The recurring gag "Come on, hurry up, the festival isn't following you", along with the comic references to Mr. Boroghină ("Let's repeat. As if we were in front of Mr. Boroghină."), instill artistic momentum in our protagonists who can't wait to show off their dormant talent, untapped until their venerable age. It's never too late to make friends with the stage, apparently.

Starting from the casting that Madam Gutuie (Raluca Păun) carries out at the beginning of the show (tactically analyzing photos of famous actors such as Anthony Hopkins), the director creates a comic contrast between the slowness of the elderly and their childish behavior. From high school kid jokes, to viral phrases such as "No water.", to acting games and so on, the Shakespearean text slowly takes on a new form.

Each character seems to refer to a typology. We have the comic couple, a kind of Stan and Bran of the asylum, made up of Mr. Slim (Bogdan Oprănescu) and Mr. Flaut (Cătălin Miculeasa). We have Miss Fundulea (Valentin Motroc), who is anything but a miss. Of gender or otherwise, if we are to go by the words of Mr. Slim and Mr. Flaut. (Que for another gag: “Miss hell.”) Madam Gutuie, the director of the show, undertakes every action with the will of God and all the saints on the calendar, and Mrs. Blându’ (Anca Maria Ghiță) is that frail old woman, for whom the expectation of death has become a leitmotif. Maybe the role of the Lion, which is being cast for her, will instill a little more life in her.

From here, Shakespeare's text intertwines with the reality of the characters in the asylum. The five emerging artists come to the conclusion that the ladies in the hall could not bear to see grotesque actions such as stabbings or unleashed lions on stage. Therefore, a prologue, also known as a disclaimer, must be made, so that we do not faint. Madam Gutuie takes the initiative: "Take out a sheet of paper", the phrase that haunts every spirit that has ever set foot in elementary school, and the four actors get on the music. Music. To show us that they are proud owners of both acting talent and perfect musical ears (excluding Mr. Flute who informs us that he is a bit deaf), the four compose the prologue from various sounds that make up a rhythmic melody. This insertion is a comedic alternative, referencing college acting games, but it also functions as a means of alternating the pace of the show.

So we have the valuable disclaimers, a few (somewhat hospital-like) panels as scenography and, as the piece de resistance, a drum set. So we have a show. Madam Gutuie steps onto the holy plank to start the performance. She blesses the beginning with a church song, accompanied in the background by the pious melody Du Hast, by Rammstein. Emotional to the point of tears. Obviously, from laughter. The performance begins on this comic note. After all the admirable effort made by these brave pensioners, the performance ends on a high note, with an energetic dance.

The show "Atena 5", directed by Laurențiu Tudor, is a surprising reinterpretation of the Shakespearean text. The team juggles well with the line between the reality of the pensioners and the reality of Shakespeare's text that it approaches, truthfully interweaving the two planes. It is a show that aims to arouse laughter and succeeds brilliantly, both thanks to the comic means used and the actors' interpretation. ( ANDREEA TELEHOI ) https://unatc.ro/devunatc/category/fringe-unatc/page/8/