Mikhai Eminescu Theatre Kishinev, Moldova Hamlet William Shakespeare Sandu Vasilaki Director The theatre opened in 1994, its company being formed of graduates of several different schools of dramatic art: the Institute of Cinematography, Moscow Art Theatre School, Theatre Institute of Georgia and the Arts Institute of Kishinev. Despite being so young, the theatre has participated in many drama festivals and has won recognition among the critics. Its repertory features Leo Tolstoy, Moliere, Shakespeare, Dostoyevsky and Marquez. Shakespeare's Hamlet is among the best productions staged by Sandu Vasilake, Artistic Director of the Mikhai Eminesku Theatre. The production offers an unusual treatment of the play, in which all the bloody events are seen through the "to be or not to be" dilemma. The characters are driven by the indomitable and all-absorbing attraction of death as a transition to the next world, where their innocence is to be regained through redemption. Alisa Georgesku, "Rampl" Directed by Sandu Vasilaki Sets designed by Petru Balan Costumes designed by Stela Verebchanu Cast: Ion Rusu (Hamlet), Silvia Luka and Angela Sibanu (Gertrude), Emil Gazhu (Claudius), Ion Mokanu, Vitalie Karaus (Polonius), Nicoletta Koltun (Ophelia) and others. Sandu Vasilaki was graduated from Kishinev State Art Institute, Directors' Department and All-Russian State Cinema Institute, Acting Department. In 1993 created Karmanny Theatre ("Pocket Theatre") whose first and only production was to stage Ch.de la Clos' novel Liaisons Dangereuses. After his first work S.Vasilaki was appointed artistic director of the Mikhail Eminescu National Theatre. While heading the theatre the director staged many plays which were praised by the critics. These are One Hundred Years of Solitude, based on G.G. Marquez' novel; Amadeus by P. Shaffer, special prize of the jury on the "I.L.Karadzhale" Festival (Bucharest, 1994); Unknown Star by M. Sebastien prize for originality on the Comedy Festival in Bucharest, 1995; Anna Karenina by L. Tolstoy; Hamlet by W.Shakespeare; The Brothers Karamazov by F.Dostoyevski. The last performance of The Brothers Karamazov was staged in December , 1997 in the "Odeon" Theatre, Bucharest (Romania). ¥ 13 May Taganka Theatre Zemlyanoy Val, 76/21