The Jewish Theatre

Amidst the bustling city of Bucharest, a cultural gem stands proudly. The Jewish Theatre, or Teatrul Evreiesc de Stat, has witnessed a vibrant history. Its story is a testament to the resilience and passion of the Jewish community. The Jewish Theatre’s roots trace back to the 19th century. A review by Mihai Eminescu in 1876 mentioned a Jewish troupe performing in Iași. This marked the beginning of a rich theatrical tradition in Romania. In Bucharest, the theater building, originally known as the Teatru Barașeum or Sala Barașeum, became a Yiddish-language theater in the early 1930s. During World War II, the theater faced immense challenges. Antisemitic policies forced the closure of Yiddish theaters. A single Jewish theater was permitted under strict conditions. It had to perform in Romanian, donate to a fund for unemployed Christian actors, and obtain permission from the Military Commander. On March 1, 1941, the Teatrul Evreiesc Barașeum opened its doors with a revue. The theater persevered, premiering over thirty productions during the war years. It became a center of Jewish culture and art, offering Romanian-language translations of classic Yiddish plays like “The Big Lottery Ticket” and “The Dybbuk”. After the overthrow of Antonescu in 1944, Yiddish was re-legalized. The Barașeum returned to performing in Yiddish. In 1948, the theater was nationalized as the State Jewish Theater (Teatrul Evreiesc de Stat). It continued to flourish in the Barașeum building, which was rebuilt with a modern stage in the mid-1950s. The Jewish Theatre’s repertoire expanded to include world theater classics and works by Romanian playwrights. The theater also engaged in exchanges with other Romanian theaters, fostering artistic collaboration. The Jewish Theatre stands as a symbol of cultural preservation. It honors the rich legacy of Yiddish theater in Romania and its contribution to the global theatrical landscape.