The Magpies

by Alexandru Kiritescu

November 23, 2026, 7:00 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 brutal, intimate, and unmasked moments. And the production successfully captures this atmosphere of morbid national tragicomedy. The scenography, very well thought out and easy to manage, with strong interwar Romanian accents regarding the house decorations, as well as the soundtrack, contribute fully to the construction of the environment in which the Duduleanu family unfolds their infamously autochthonous lives.

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

The love triangle cannot be forgotten either, brilliantly performed by Diana Cavallioti (a sensual, feminine Wanda with a boiling inner strength), Andreea Chirițescu (an amazingly self-possessed Margareta) and Tudor Istodor (an authentic and original Mircea). Gabriel Fătu, Ioana Ancea and Ion Ionuț Ciocia have 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 eloquent 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 also go 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, the 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

Directed by — Gelu Colceag