- by IONUȚ SOCIU
- Directed by: Bobi Pricop
- Set design: Oana Micu
- Cinematography: Mihai Popa
- Music by: Eduard Gabia
- Streaming: Răzvan Rusu
Based on an original script, created especially for this project, the hybrid performance "Z Day" tells the story of four young people who plan to kidnap the son of an influential businessman. Their action is intended to be a redeeming one, given that the son escaped from prison after the intervention of his father. Moreover, the four use this intensely publicized moment to launch a manifesto and a new movement that aims at a paradigm shift in today's Romania.
The performance tests the ways in which theater can be present and relevant in our lives in times of pandemic restrictions, proposing a dynamic artistic concept, adapted to the realities we live. It is built on two levels – live filming that takes place both in a car driving on the city streets and in the studio of a local television station, reconstituted on the stage.
Cast
- Jimmy: Marian Adochiţei
- Paul: Theodor Șoptelea
- Ana: Cătălina Mihai
- Tudor: Florin Aioane
- Coco Dincă: Andrei Bibire
- Vanda, TV news achor: Lana Moscaliuc
- Cornel, TV news anchor: Lucian Iftime
- Vali Dincă, Coco's father: Iulian Enache
- Violeta Dincă, Coco's grandmother: Nina Udrescu
- Truică, chief of Police: Liviu Manolache
- Bebe, a passanger in a different car: Cosmin Mihale
- Jean, a passenger in a different car: Florentin Roman
- Irina Popa, sociologist Ovidius University: Mirela Pană
- Tavi, journalist: Dan Cojocaru
- Ela, TV host: Georgiana Mazilescu
- Angela Dumitru, TV host: Liliana Cazan
- TV crewman: Ștefan Mihai
- TV staff: Cristiana Luca
- local politician: Laura Crăciun
- local politician: Andu Axente
- local politician: Adrian Dumitrescu
Reviews
"Day Z" is a manifesto-performance, a harsh, anxious show much like the reality it is inspired by, so that, paraphrasing Stendhal, "Day Z" is a mirror of society, except that in this case, the mirror has been replaced by a camera. Because everything is broadcast live, just like in daily life, where Facebook live streams and breaking news take precedence. Therefore, for one hour, the Constanța State Theatre offers you "a slice" of reality, because the resemblance to real events and occurrences is shocking and depressing.
Mirela STÎNGĂ
https://culturaconstanta.ro/ziua-z-un-spectacol-inedit-curajos-si-anxios-in-premiera-la-teatrul-de-stat-constanta/
The play "Day Z" by Ionuț Sociu, directed by Bobi Pricop, at the Constanța State Theatre, is the most substantial and high-performing production created since the restrictions imposed by the pandemic. It is a play that doesn't need any extenuating circumstances, it doesn't apologize, it isn't an experiment, and it isn't ad-hoc. A manifesto that is as pertinent, lucid, brave, and authentic from both a social and artistic perspective, it requires no indulgence. After a year of enduring harsh conditions, this premiere stands out and raises many eyebrows in astonishment. (...) "Day Z" is a play that doesn't leave you indifferent because it speaks about what we know to be true. It is all the more impactful and moving because it does so with professionalism and artistic performance. Reality is not just a pretext for a performance. Fiction is not just a platform on which the social issues climb to be seen. The moderation and decency with which the two elements complement each other in this successful encounter are the reasons why the Constanța State Theatre's production is the most substantial achievement in online, hybrid theatre of the past, so problematic, year.
Alina Epîngeac, critic de teatru - Amfiteatru
In the form of a brave and multi-faceted artistic product, "Day Z" goes beyond the barriers we are used to. It is a call addressed both to those on stage and those in front of it. And it is far from ending with the cessation of the live streaming. It is rather a first step toward change, a call to take home, to the street, to think about and dissect coldly. At the same time, beyond the concept, beyond all the things it confronts us with, this hybrid of theatre performance/short-medium film is a first hope for the alternative of online theatre.
Teodora Ghica, teatrolog - Liternet
https://agenda.liternet.ro/articol/25257/Teodora-Ghica/Aici-si-acum-suntem-noi-Ziua-Z.html
"Day Z" shocks with the involuntary humor that wraps a sensitive subject, leading to a kind of ping-pong of the spectator's reactions. You laugh – you feel bad for laughing – you are aware that everything happening is very serious in terms of the involvement it demands from some people – you laugh again – you feel bad for laughing... And so on. A vicious circle that works as a mimesis of the performance, which itself is the mimesis of the original Tomis – the great thing founded on a crime.
Alberto Păduraru, teatrolog - Liternet
https://agenda.liternet.ro/articol/25258/Alberto-Paduraru/Si-uite-cum-intra-Live-in-regia-lui-Bobi-Pricop-in-Ziua-Z-in-regia-lui-Bobi-Pricop-ca-intr-o-matriosca-mimesis-a-Tomisului-originar.html