Teatrul Municipal Caracal

National Theater in Caracal  Historic In the summer of 1896, the history of Caracal recorded: "The foundation stone of the National Theater has been laid to bring the culture of the inhabitants of Caracal to the prosperity," to erect, in the heart of Romanata, a imposing architectural edifice. At that time, an impressive number of theaters were built in Europe. Romania has built its own theaters at the same time: the Romanian Athenaeum, the National Theater in Iasi, Bucharest, Cluj or Timisoara. By the will of the elders of the times and the love of theater for the inhabitants, the Caracal has built an equally beautiful and imposing theater, framed in the same high-rise European architecture, not accidentally, in the historical area of ​​the city, in the vicinity of the rulers of the Royal Court of Michael the Brave. The building of the Caracal Theater, built between 1896-1901 in eclectic style with neo-orococial and neo-Renaissance accents, impresses with its decorative massiveness and richness. The end of the 19th century represented a relatively prosperous period for the city of Caracal, with 12,000 inhabitants, 24th out of the 32 county capitals of the Old Kingdom, but the third in Oltenia, after Craiova and Turnu-Severin. This development has accentuated the urbanization process. Until the setting up of the Caracal Park, the main playground was the public palace of the administrative palace, around which were Dulgherescu's café, the Savu club, the merchant shops, the Paradis garden, the three hotels, the oldest of which was built in 1896 " , The City Hall and the Prefecture, buildings that still retain the nineteenth-century atmosphere. From the desire of the inhabitants and encouraging the city's elite, since the construction of the theater was a sign of recognition, not only an important means of communicating cultural values, the Mayor addressed the request of the President of the County Council in November 1891. He asks for funds to be allocated to "a theater that also serves as a local courtroom". The construction works lasted five years, started on 14 July 1896 and ended in 1901. The theater was built according to the plans of the Austrian architect Franz Billek, drafted in Bucharest in May 1896. As far as is known, this is the only building built by Archbishop Billeck in the Kingdom. The contractor was the Italian Spaulenzi Mariani. In 1899, economic life experienced a strong crisis, temporarily stopping construction work, as the theater "with so many claims demanded much expense". Subsequently, due to the lack of funds, some compromises, unforeseen in the plans, were made to finish the edifice. Thus it was decided to simplify some details, some parts of the project were dropped, the plaster decorations replaced the ones in the stone, the wooden ones replaced the ones of artificial stone and the entrance was completely transformed, that is why the square in front the sumptuous buildings have remained undeveloped for a long time. The theater was initially thought of as a roadway access, but both because of the difference in level between the two streets and the delay of the inauguration, this space was finally treated as a stepped summit summary. The main façade, from the east, is treated with sumptuousness, animated by a rich decorative repertoire, emphasis is placed on the upper registry. The columns occupied fit the three entrances and the balconies, which have a parapet with ionic balloons and two consoles with geometrical motifs. The northern and southern facades retain decorative elements of the eastern façade, but put them into work in a different way. The hired columns become pillars without capitel, the window with traphor is bounded by two maschers. The crowning cornice ends with a triangular front. The lantern over the stairs to the balcony is made of blackboard. The building is made of brick masonry, windows and doors were used as lanes narrow narrow rail tracks. The floor plan is a mixed structure of rails with flattened masonry vaults over which is laid a thin layer of mortar, and the floor of the bridge was made of wood. In the treatment of interior spaces, the emphasis was placed on the main hall. The statue of monumental honor was removed from the archdiocese. Access to the balcony is made by two side stairs, made of stone. "The painting was executed in 1900's manner. The ceilings of the show room were painted with idyllic or pastoral scenes," wrote Petru Crăciun. The original painting has not been preserved, and today the interiors are completely repaired. The second floor has three small windows and a cornice on the consoles, with plasterboard with vegetable motifs as a pound emblem. Initially, on the cornice were four statues representing the museums: Caliope, Eutherpe, Terpsichore and Thalia, replaced in 1959. (Source, Caracal Monograph, Jurnalul Naţional) "The opening of the new theater belonged to the dramatic society of Craiova. It followed Massini's Italian Opera, with a band of 80 people playing: "Traviata", "Travatore", "Ernani", "Barber of Sevilla" and other shows. At the closing of the accounts, the impresario Vasile Brînadsanu loses 3 lei "(Ştefan Ricman, Monograph of Romanati County, 1928). The most important actors of the Romanian stage played in the National Theater Hall. Among them and Nottara, with permanent shows. Transcription from the same Monograph: "It was a warm day of spring, the day of Easter. By evening, the city had a bustle of calves followed by a group of disciples, oranging oranges for the families of the shrews. The Jupans also had a white alive for calfs and apprentices. This lord arrives in our town, Lord Nottara, and after he gives a ride to the theater, he goes to sit on a bench in the public garden. (It is the garden behind the current Town Hall of Caracal n.a.). In a moment, the garden grill is surrounded by children, apprentices, calfs, pupils who start to show the big actor among the bars. This, dismayed by the unexpected manifestation that was being made, starts by going out between the Prefecture and the City Hall, but the fog follows him from a distance, shouting, "Look at Nottara! ". Poor Nottara makes a step, looks angry, but the fog grows constantly, persistently persecuting him: "Look at Nottara!" She takes her to the fair street almost galloping, looks back at him until the Providence takes him out. Saved, he jumps up and shakes the stick roaring: "Get rid of me, birjar! Hand, that the cooks are eating me! "In the evening, the theater groans. From the top lodges and from the balcony, they were thrown on the stage, as tributes ... orange. Always, it was customary for the scammers of the ambulatory circuses to stop by Caracal to throw oranges as admiration "(Ştefan Ricman, Monograph of the Romanati County, 1928). We remind some of the artists who have ennobled this scene: the genius violinist George Enescu gave several concerts. Mrs. Averescu sang from his mouth for charity concerts. Then: Aristita Romanescu, Agata Barsescu, Sturza, Filotti, Marioara Voiculescu, C. Notara, Brezeanu, Liciu, Soreanu, Lecca, Davila, Demetriad, Bulandra, Cretu, Anestin, Radovici, Manolescu, Storin, Ciprian, George Vraca, Grigore Vasiliu Birch, Dina Cocea, Tantzi Cocea, Fory Eterle, Aurel Rogalschi, Eugenia Zaharia, Vasile Cretoiu, Ovidiu Rocos, Remus Comaneanu, Manu Nedeianu etc. In works and operettas: Băjenaru, Niculescu-Basu, Atanasiu, Nora Marinescu, Tanase, etc. The great scholars: Iorga, Pârvan, I. Ştefănescu held conferences, as well as Tache Ionescu, Xenopol, Mircescu, political conferences. Gods, ladies and gentlemen of the local society, appeared on stage in various festivals or concerts. (Ştefan Ricman, Monograph of Romanati County, 1928).

The great figures of science, literature and art: Nicolae Iorga, Vasile Pârvan, Xenopol, Octavian Goga, great politicians, such as Tache Ionescu and Nicolae Titulescu, have lectured to promote the Romanian nation and culture, but also to fulfill the great dream always Great Great Romania.

The Caracal Theatrical Tradition is a place of honor in the official and sentimental archives, as a definite proof, that the National Theater was built and existed from the need of culture of the people who have animated, over time, artists or spectators. For the end of 2008, the history of Caracal recorded: "The consolidation and restoration of the National Theater meant to bring prosperity to the culture of the inhabitants of Caracal was completed." What we have all expected, some with faith, others with doubt, that is, it happened on December 19, 2008, when, after 22 years, the doors of the National Theater were reopened. The Caracal has its own theater group, under the name of the Municipal Theater, with an uninterrupted activity for over 60 years, a band of amateurs, it is right but with a varied repertoire under the signature of professional directors, with theater performances for all tastes and for any age. At the National Theater take place, annually, the National Theater Festival, the Comedy Festival of Non-Professionals Theaters, the Festival of Theater and Short Film for Youth "fesTin", the permanent theater of the Municipal Theater, theater, music, entertainment, symposiums , conferences, exhibitions, etc. The Caracal can boast again with this architectural jewel, which it ennobles, like other people, with passion, dedication, talent and much love. A dream has been fulfilled and an unbeatable act has been accomplished for the next 100 years.