Northern Theatre Harag György Company

On Tuesday, UNITER announced the list of theatre productions and artists nominated for this year’s awards on its official website. The jury - comprising Daria Ancuța, Doru Mareș, and Maria Zărnescu - selected the nominees from among the best productions staged in 2024.

A UNITER nomination is a highly prestigious recognition in the Romanian theatre industry, and the Harag György Company’s production - Richard III, directed by István Albu - has been honored with no fewer than three nominations!

Csongor Zsolt Nagy, the lead actor, has been nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role. Director István Albu has been shortlisted for the Lucian Pintilie Award for Best Direction, while the production as a whole is in the running for Best Performance.

"Receiving a nomination is always a gratifying feeling, but to receive three - what a joy! Even the nomination itself is a tremendous recognition for everyone involved in the production. A vast number of people put in an immense amount of work to bring this performance to life, as Albu István’s directorial concept required merging a classic royal drama with the rock music of the 1970s. Beyond the acting, music plays a crucial role, and my colleagues have excelled not only as performers but also as a live band. It is truly heartwarming to feel the support and commitment of my fellow actors. I wish this kind of fulfillment to every theatre artist!" - shared Csongor Zsolt Nagy, the play’s lead actor.

The production, directed by István Albu, premiered on December 20. By staging William Shakespeare’s drama, the company sought to offer audiences a historical classic - a cornerstone of universal theatre culture, one of the most frequently performed and quoted masterpieces. At the same time, they aimed to reinterpret it through a contemporary lens, incorporating striking references to the recent past via rock and pop culture, making the play resonate powerfully with modern audiences.

Richard III marks the latest milestone in a long-running directorial program that spans multiple productions. The integration of live music within the dramatic narrative offers a unique theatrical experience, turning the performance into a veritable concert show. This time, iconic American rock hits of the 1970s resound on stage, with Csongor Zsolt Nagy embodying the bloodthirsty Richard III as a singing, charismatic frontman.

"The UNITER Award is a distinction of great prestige, where even a nomination is a significant honor. This year, Richard III is the second most nominated production among all contenders. Such recognition is not only an acknowledgment of the nominees but also of everyone who contributed to the performance. It is the result of years of effort to gain visibility within Romania’s predominantly Bucharest-centric theatre industry. We have worked hard to make our voices heard, and we owe a great deal to our many partners, particularly our theatre’s Romanian company, with whom we launched joint mini-seasons inviting key figures from the Romanian theatre scene, including UNITER jurors. Likewise, our festival in Bucharest - organized in collaboration with the MASZÍN Hungarian Theatre Association - has served the same purpose: to be seen and to make our artistic values recognized. We are fully aware of the excellence of our actors, productions, and guest and in-house directors, even without awards and nominations. However, every theatre company needs feedback. And it is just as vital to carry Satu Mare’s cultural reputation to various theatrical platforms as its ambassadors. That is why I take immense pride in this recognition - it is an affirmation that our dedicated professional work is now visible to a broader audience. I am especially pleased that two outstanding individual artistic achievements have been nominated, but it is also deeply gratifying that the entire production, as a collective effort, has been deemed worthy of a nomination. As the company’s director, this fills me with both pride and hope.” - stated István Bessenyei Gedő, Artistic Director of the Harag György Company.

The UNITER Awards are Romania’s most prestigious theatre accolades, presented annually by the Romanian National Theatre Union in a grand ceremony. This year’s gala will take place at the Marin Sorescu National Theatre in Craiova. The most nominated production is Stuart Maria, directed by Andrei Șerban, who last season also staged My Fair Lady in Satu Mare. Additionally, The Tempest, directed by Viktor Bodó and staged by the Tamási Áron Theatre in Sfântu Gheorghe, has received two nominations. This production was also showcased at the most recent IFESZT festival in Satu Mare.

Notably, another work by the creative team behind Satu Mare’s Richard III has also received a nomination: István Albu’s staging of Liliom has been shortlisted for Best Set Design. The designer, Erika Márton - who also created the sets and costumes for Richard III - was behind this work as well. The production was featured in the IFESZT festival program in 2024, allowing local audiences to experience it.

Cast of Richard III:
Csongor Zsolt Nagy, Stella Rappert-Vencz, Attila Diószegi, Blanka Moldován, Evelyn Budizsa, Orbán Nagy, Gyula Gaál, Gergő Frumen, Máté Erdei, Nándor Poszet, Attila Zsolt Péter, Sándor Varga, János Szilárd Szabó, Anna Sosovicza, Tamás Jankó-Szép (guest), Zsolt Orbán, Tibor Bodea Gál, Johanna Bándi, Barbara Bogár, Ágnes Keresztes.

The production’s dramaturg is István Bessenyei Gedő, with musical direction by László Bakk-Dávid and choreography by Franciska Szabó. Assistant director and dramaturgy associate: Ádám Balogh. The stage manager was Ritta Szabó, and the prompter was Katalin Varga.