Back again, eh?
Every country is different. There is no doubt.
I would never say Budapest is like Poland which is like Serbia which is like Romania. And yet...
there is an Eastern European thing. You just know when you are in Eastern Europe. It does have a feeling to it that exists nowhere else.
I love the buildings.
Timisoara, Romania. Attending the Eurothalia Festival. The director of the festival says, "The festival aims to depict instances from theatrical creation of the participating countries and at the same time facilitate the intercultural dialogue." That sounds kinda familiar. We have already seen several shows. One was totally great, three were quite good, and one was not my cup of tea. Really, for five shows, those are pretty good odds. Even the show that wasn't my favorite was deeply committed. There is no lack of energy, commitment, or strength here. Artists are not afraid. They are brave and adventurous. Always the best kind of artists.
I love me a festival.
There are quite a few other producers and critics here from around Europe but we are the only ones from the US. Yesterday the bus driver is speaking in Romanian saying, "Is everyone here? Are we ready to go?" (or this is what I assume he is saying) and Hannah and I hear, "Albuquerque? Are you here?" Yes. We are here. Ready to go.
We made friends with a couple of German critics. Tall Matthias (they are both named Matthias) always comes up to us immediately after the show and wants to know what we think. Hannah had to explain to him that it is rude to speak critically in the lobby right after a show. She will tell him later, over coffee, when there is no chance for a performer to overhear in case she is maybe saying something that isn't glowing.
This baffles him. Why would we not just say what we think?
Why indeed?
Patricia, our artist liaison, worries and checks in with us. Yes, we are fine. We are good. Tired from jetlag, enjoying the food, getting around well, our flat is great, etc. What do we think of Romania? It is lovely, we say. Are we having any problems? No, no we are fine (I miss my husband but I don't think she can help me with that.) We start talking about sticking out. We are from the US. Do we look like we are from the US? We can tell that some people know. We tell her that it is our big hair and loud voices. She tells us yes. This is true.
But, she says, also it is our perfect teeth.
How interesting. Our teeth give us away.
Pretty Hannah teeth.
What are we doing here, you may ask? We are scouting for Revolutions shows, meeting new companies, networking with European writers and critics, and trying to create touring/teaching opportunities for Tricklock.
How did we get here? We were invited and they bought us one plane ticket and gave us two festival passes. Then we wrote and received a small grant for the other ticket, housing, and a per diem. Hurrah for international travel grants!
What are our plans? More shows, so many shows, like 25 shows. Dudes. There's a lot of theatre happening. Also, we are hoping to get up early one day and do a day trip to Transylvania. Because...RIGHT??? How rad would that be?? I need to see some castles.
I'll write more again soon. After more shows and more adventures.
The National Theatre in the square.
