Night Theater transforms an electric bus into a space of revelations and reflection on Timișoara’s nightlife. The play is directed by Cătălin Mardale who tries, in his present-day quest, to take theater out of the theater hall and into the public or unconventional spaces.
I believe that theater (or a cultural product) should not be limited or dependent on a venue. I believe it should be inclusive and accessible to the widest possible audience. For example, some time ago I worked on a video installation projected on a garage in a Cluj neighborhood. This time, I’m working inside a bus. I love these challenges!
In terms of the dynamics between characters in this moving setting and how this will influence the audience’s perception, Cătălin talks about two aspects. On the one hand, we have the text and – implicitly – the performance, which are closely linked to Timișoara. To the stories and places of the city. On the other hand, the bus is a space that brings the actors closer to the audience and offers a more direct, immersive and participatory experience.
I think that these two aspects will make it easier for the audience to identify with the characters in the show and will arouse empathy because we are talking about situations that people in the audience have probably faced, in familiar spaces, in a much more intimate setting than a theater, explains the director.
“Night Theater” is not just a show, but an experience that breaks the traditional barriers of theater and aims to reach the hearts of the audience on a deep and personal level. When the journey ends, what remains is the echo of a captivating story, outlined against the backdrop of Timișoara’s flickering lights and nighttime street noises.
TICKETS HERE
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Cătălin Mardale is from Constanța, he is 29 years old and graduated in Theatre Directing at the “Babeș Bolyai” University, Faculty of Theatre and Television Cluj-Napoca. He made his debut as a director in a professional theater with the performance “Prah” by Spiró Győrgy at the Municipal Theatre Baia Mare. He is currently a PhD student in Theatre and Performing Arts with the thesis “Ideological and Aesthetic in Performing Arts in Eastern Europe”.
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This project is part of the national cultural program “Timișoara – European Capital of Culture in 2023” and is financed through the Grow Timișoara 2023 program, carried out by the Project Center of Timișoara Municipality, with funds allocated from the state budget, through the budget of the Ministry of Culture.
The Night-Art Festival is presented by George, the first smart banking.
Sponsors: Fan Courier, Iulius Town, ATP Motors, Pepsi
Project partners: Leeds City Council, In-Edu Association Timișoara, German Cultural Center Timișoara, Cluj Cultural Center, West University Timișoara, University of Art and Design Cluj-Napoca, Polytechnic University of Timișoara
Communication partners: Getica OOH, Aushopping galleries, Kiss Fm, Euromedia, Pressone.ro, G4Media.ro, World Wide Print, Daisler Print House, Știri din România, Tion, Express de Banat, IQOOL, Zile și Nopți, Știri de Timișoara, NewsVest, Adevărul, TVR, Radio Timișoara, România Pozitivă, Best of Timișoara