In 2011 the world of theatre lost stage directors Liviu Ciulei and Alexandru Tocilescu, two names by means of which exemplarity in theatre was shaped and recognized. The latter was posthumously awarded the Excellence Award. A rebel, cynic and a man of remarkable intelligence, as theatre critic Marina Constantinescu characterized him at the Awards Gala, Alexandru Tocilescu staged an echoing “Hamlet” at Bulandra theatre in Bucharest in the 1980s, starring Ion Caramitru in the male lead. Commonly celebrated as one of the best Shakespearean productions, and equally recognized as such by British theatre critics, the show took on volatile connotations at the time. The audience perceived the piece as a cruel satire targeting Ceausescu’s oppressive regime.

This year’s UNITER Awards Gala held on Monday yet again stood evidence that smaller towns are undervalued competitors that continue to successfully challenge Bucharest for supremacy in theatre. The Best Production Award went to Russian Yuri Kordonsky’s “Last Day of Youth”, a screen-to-play adaptation of Tadeusz Konwicki’s “Last Day of Summer”. The play was staged at the Radu Stanca Theatre in Sibiu, central Romania. A former European Capital of Culture, the city of Sibiu plays host to one of the most prestigious international theatre festivals every year. The Best Directing Award went to Laszlo Bocsardi for the production “Caligula”, staged at the “Marin Sorescu” National Theatre in Craiova, South-Western Romania while his performance in that piece earned Sorin Leoveanu the Best Actor in a Leading Role Award.

The trophy for best actress in a leading role went to Mariana Mihut for her performance in the production “Bury Me Behind the Baseboard”, at the Bulandra Theatre in Bucharest, a dramatization by Yuri Kordonsky of Pavel Sanaev’s novel. Cornel Scripcaru and Ana-Ioana Macari scooped the awards for best actors in supporting roles. Of the nominees for best set design, the award went to Nikola Toromanov for the show “The Visit of the Old Lady”, staged at the National Theatre in Bucharest. The best radio drama award went to Razvan Popa’s “Shylock”, produced by the Romanian Radio Broadcasting Corporation.

Oana Maria Cajal’s “Last pact” got the Award for Best Romanian Play in 2011. Attending the gala were some well-established and distinguished guests, among whom French actress Jacqueline Bisset and British stage director Michael Pennington.