The Magpies

by Alexandru Kiritescu

October 14, 2026 8:00 PM

You cannot remain indifferent to a performance based on such a text as Kirițescu's "The Magpies".

At first, you laugh until you cry. And then you freeze because you realize you are laughing at yourself, at your family, at this nation. "The Magpies" is the perfect characterization of Romanianness in its most cruel, intimate, and unmasked moments. And the production successfully captures this atmosphere of morbid national tragicomedy. The scenography, very well thought out and easy to maneuver, with strong interwar Romanian accents in terms of house decorations, as well as the soundtrack, contribute fully to the construction of the environment in which the Duduleanu family lives their infamous, autochthonous lives.

You will rediscover 4 exceptional actresses in the 4 main female roles: Maia Morgenstern (a terribly credible Aneta Duduleanu, with strong, but not exaggerated, comic accents), Carmen Tănase (an exceptional Zoia, likeable, but also with stage expressiveness), Virginia Rogin (one of the most refined, complex, and masterful actresses, here with a magnificent role, as Lena) and Adriana Trandafir (a mountain of talent, passion, and dedication, meticulously creating a never-before-seen Fräulein).

Nor can we forget the love triangle, brilliantly performed by Diana Cavallioti (a sensual, feminine Wanda with a boiling inner strength), Andreea Chirițescu (a surprisingly self-possessed Margareta), and Tudor Istodor (an authentic and original Mircea). Gabriel Fătu, Ioana Ancea, and Ion Ionuț Ciocia make a very important contribution in the three comic roles of Ianache, Colette, and Georges Duduleanu, Aneta's sons and daughter-in-law. Last but not least, in the small but very telling role of Zamfira, Mariangela Coldea shines through the joy of her performance, bringing to the forefront a role that is usually overlooked. And all this theatrical symphony, conducted with a sure hand by director Gelu Colceag.

Congratulations are also extended each time to Imelda Manu, the set designer, Ioana Colceag and Geanina Punkosti, the creators of the special costumes suited to the time of the action, but also to Teodora Petre, assistant director, who ensures the smooth running of each performance.

Cast:
Aneta Duduleanu – Maia Morgenstern
Zoia – Carmen Tănase
Lena – Virginia Rogin
Fräulein – Adriana Trandafir
Wanda Serafim – Diana Cavallioti
Margareta Aldea – Andreea Chirițescu
Mircea Aldea – Tudor Istodor
Ianache Duduleanu – Gabriel Fătu
Georges Duduleanu – Ionuț Ciocia
Colette Duduleanu – Ioana Ancea
Zamfira – Mariangela Coldea

Direction — Gelu Colceag