Following the children’s novel by Ervin Lázár, which was published in 1964, the Gheorgheni troupe presents The Child and the Lions, a children’s performance, on December 7th at 5:00 PM in the “Öntöde” studio.

The play is directed by Gábor Kolozsi Borsos, an actor of the troupe who is working as a director for the first time with his colleagues. Gábor’s concepts and work are supported by Ákos Páll-Gecse, a puppeteer, who also trained the cast in juggling along with stage movement. The creative team includes dramaturg Helga Balázs, set and costume designer Kató Huszár, composer Barti Lehel-András (also a member of the Figura troupe), and music collaborator Boldizsár Bernád. Nearly the entire troupe appears in the shed of the little girl, Panka.

The theater is celebrating its 40th anniversary, and during the 2024-25 season, it is reimagining some of the old titles and plays found in the early repertoire of the theater. Lázár Ervin’s work was first presented in 1991 by the troupe under the direction of László Bocsárdi.

After the December premiere, the troupe will present the play to the audience in Odorheiu Secuiesc as well, within the Tomcsa Sándor Theater’s subscription system. During December, the unconventional exhibition Fordulatok - Figura40 will be opened, and then, between Christmas and New Year’s, on the 27th and 29th, visitors can see the live music performance of Liliom. The theater will start the new year with Alain Leonard Fodor’s solo performance; on January 4th, they will feature Drognapló again.

Tickets for the Gheorgheni premiere and other performances are available on the website www.figura.ro, as well as on-site before events. Reservations and information can be obtained by calling +40 752-227-011 or by emailing org@figura.ro.

About the performance:

Siegfried Bruckner’s name is surely familiar to everyone, but few know what happened to him before he moved to the legendary forest. He was a chief juggler, an acrobat, a notorious tiger tamer, but also a heroic husband and a loyal friend. His best friend, Panka, could tell you a lot about it, and now she’s happy to do so. This story is about them: a little girl who hosts lions in her childhood shed, Siegfried and his wife, Szilvia, who meet again after many years, Gabriella, the architect who still remembers what it was like to fight for a goal as a child, a brave dancer, and… But if I introduced everyone, where would the surprise be?

The stage adaptation of Ervin Lázár’s first children’s novel tells, through the dazzling world of the circus, about the sweet playfulness of childhood, the unbreakable commitment to friendship, the overlap of reality and imagination, the first steps toward adulthood, but most importantly, about how there is no obstacle that cannot be overcome with a companion by your side. Right, Panka?