Under various titles, the play “The Blacksmiths” by Milos Nikolic has been part of the repertoire of several theaters across the country and abroad. The director of the show, Horațiu Mălăele, seems to be “in love” with this play in which, of course, he plays the lead role. 

The original text by playwright Milos Nikolic, born in Kosovo in 1939, tells the story of a German blacksmith who, after a long time, discovers that his son is the child of a Romanian. Horațiu Mălăele adapts the subject, and the blacksmith Grigorie is a Romanian who discovers that his son is the child of the Hungarian Peter, who learns that his own son has as a father the Russian Ivan, and Ivan finds out that his son belongs to ... Grigorie! This genetic jumble is a consequence of war because all the men, blacksmiths by trade, were also soldiers on the front. The play's underlying theme is rich, suggesting the consequences of war and the false trumpet of nationalism that has become a “doctrine” for some current European parties. The comedy is well-written by Mios Nikolic and provides the audience with laughter over the misfortune of the three men of different nationalities who find that their sons genetically belong, in fact, to another nationality. 

However, the adaptation by changing the nationalities of some characters is flimsy. The wives are represented in the text only by Matilda, the wife of the Romanian Grigorie, who pleads that women did not cheat on their husbands; they only wanted the trade of blacksmiths to have heirs. Matilda's argument is developed by the playwright on the historical premise that, after farmers and shepherds, blacksmiths serve one of the oldest trades attested even in the Bible. These remain the basic professions of common people. In today's world, however, Matilda's desire for the perpetuation of the trade fails because sons, as their fathers say, are no longer blacksmiths; they have chosen other professions. Horațiu Mălăele's adaptation uses the translation signed by Veronica Lăzăreanu, abundant in trivial accents.

         Set designer Maria Miu, who has previously illustrated this play at another theater, uses her recognized talent to construct a blacksmith's workshop in detail through specific trade objects, complemented by those found in the household of simple people. The decor is enchanting and thoughtfully designed for the diversification of stage movement. Director Horațiu Mălăele skillfully develops the story of the three men, being in the realm of comedy. The show lasts an hour and ten minutes, five of which are consumed at the beginning of the performance through Grigorie's searches in the blacksmith shop with a lantern, in the dark, for “something”; however, these absurd searches do not find a solid purpose in the following action.

 The four actors remarkably fulfill their assigned roles. Maia Morgenstern as Matilda, Grigorie's wife, delivers an excellent performance. The actress develops with inner conviction Matilda's struggle to clarify to her husband that she did not cheat on him during the four years he was at the front in Russia, completed also with the emotion of reuniting with Peter. Once again, Maia Morgenstern demonstrates that she is an actress of rare complexity and can credibly tackle both comedy and drama genres. 

Horațiu Mălăele nuancedly constructs the character of Grigorie, a simple man who tries to unravel the tangles caused by Peter's arrival in his family. The actor treats the situation dramatically, and evidently, the result is comedic. With a timid Hungarian accent in his speech, George Mihăiță presents Peter as he intensely experiences the emotion of reuniting with Matilda, but also the complicated situation of the revelations. The final intervention of Ivan is admirably performed by Valentin Teodosiu, through his demeanor and support of the relationships with those he encounters. The four actors commendably convey the story of the capable blacksmiths, simple people whom war has left ... traces, like many other simple people living today in a different, confused world in its manifestations.

         “The Blacksmiths” offers an opportunity for comedy to the audience, who should then reflect when priding themselves on having their origins in ... Dacians and Romans. The show remains merely a successful exercise in amusement ...

 Cast:  Horațiu Mălăele , Maia Morgenstern, George Mihăiță