National Theater Bucharest - "Ion Caramitru" Hall

May 26, 2025, 8:00 PM

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

The original text by the 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 blacksmith Grigorie is a Romanian who discovers that his son is the child of the Hungarian Peter, who learns that his son is actually the child of the Russian Ivan, and Ivan realizes that his son belongs to Grigorie! This genetic confusion is a consequence of the war because all the men, blacksmiths by trade, were also soldiers on the front. The underlying theme of the play is rich with suggestions regarding the consequences of war and the false trumpet of nationalism that has become “doctrine” for some current European parties. The comedy is well-written by Mios Nikolic and brings humor to the audience regarding the troubles of the three men of different nationalities who realize that their sons have, genetically, another nationality. 

However, the adaptation by changing the nationality of some characters is weak. The wives are represented in the text only by Matilda, the wife of the Romanian Grigorie, who insists that women did not cheat on their husbands; they only wanted the blacksmith guild to have descendants. Matilda's argument is grounded in historical context, as blacksmiths, after farmers and shepherds, are one of the oldest professions even mentioned in the Bible. These remain the basic professions of ordinary people. In today’s world, however, Matilda’s desire to perpetuate the guild fails because the sons, 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 also illustrated this play at another theater, with her recognized talent, builds a detailed blacksmith shop on stage with objects specific to the trade, complemented by those from the household of ordinary people. The decor is enchanting and thoughtfully designed to diversify the stage movement. Director Horațiu Mălăele humorously develops the story of the three men, being skilled in the comedic domain. The performance lasts one hour and ten minutes, of which five minutes are consumed at the beginning of the show through Grigorie's searches in the blacksmith shop with a lantern, in the dark, for “something”; these absurd searches, however, do not find a solid purpose in the subsequent action.

 The four actors remarkably fulfill their respective characters. Maia Morgenstern as Matilda, Grigorie's wife, delivers an excellent performance. The actress convincingly develops Matilda's inner 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 with the emotion of the reunion with Peter. Once again, Maia Morgenstern demonstrates that she is an actress of rare complexity and can credibly tackle both comedic and dramatic genres. 

Horațiu Mălăele skillfully nuances the character of Grigorie, a simple man trying to untangle the complications arising from Peter's arrival in his family. The actor dramatically handles the situation, and evidently, the result is comedic. With a timid Hungarian accent in speech, George Mihăiță presents Peter who intensely experiences the emotion of the reunion with Matilda, as well as the complicated situation of the revelations. Ivan's final intervention is excellently performed by Valentin Teodosiu, through his demeanor and support in relations with those encountered. The four actors credibly deliver the story of the hardworking blacksmiths, simple men to whom the war has left… traces, just like many other ordinary people living today in a different world, confused in its manifestations.

         “The Blacksmiths” provides an opportunity for comedy for the audience, which should then also think, when they take pride in their heritage, that it has its roots in…  Dacians and Romans. The show remains just a successful exercise in amusement…

 Cast:  Horațiu Mălăele , Maia Morgenstern, George Mihăiță