Figura Studio Theatre, celebrating its 40th anniversary, will close its jubilee season with a joint production: together with the Tamási Áron Theatre company from Sfântu Gheorghe, it will stage Eugène Ionesco’s absurd drama Rhinoceros, directed by László Bocsárdi. Rehearsals for the co-production began at the end of April in the Tamási Áron Theatre’s studio hall.

“This is the first time I am working in Gheorgheni since I left. The last time I directed there was thirty years ago – interestingly enough, also within the framework of a co-production, with a joint cast, when we staged Kasimir and Karoline. Practically, that production marked the beginning of the collaboration between the Tamási Áron Theatre and Figura Studio Theatre,” recalled László Bocsárdi before rehearsals began.

The upcoming performance will feature six actors from Gheorgheni and eight from Sfântu Gheorghe. Figura’s troupe will be represented by Boróka Bartha, Lehel-András Barti, Zénó Faragó, Norbert-László Moșu, Tamara Pascu, and Boglár Tamás. From the Tamási Áron Theatre: Annamária D. Albu, Tibor Pálffy, László Szakács – all former members of Figura – along with Dezső Derzsi, Boróka Göllner, Bence Kónya-Ütő, Lóránt-László Márton, and Gellért Pignitzky will take part in the production.

For László Bocsárdi, this creative process is particularly meaningful: “Figura was the place where I realized that theatre was my path – it was there that I began to consciously engage with this art form. The Tamási Áron Theatre, on the other hand, is the space where my career could flourish both as a director and as the leader of a company. I feel that I have preserved to this day the searching, experimental attitude that I learned at Figura,” said the director.

Preparations for Rhinoceros promise an exciting, experimental theatrical endeavor: it will be a studio performance, with table readings held in Sfântu Gheorghe, while the first stage rehearsals will take place in Gheorgheni. The sets and costumes are being created in the Tamási Áron Theatre’s workshops.

The premieres are scheduled for the beginning of the 2025/2026 season: in Gheorgheni at the end of August, and in Sfântu Gheorghe in September.