Adela Bengescu, actress and RAMPA founding member

1. I suggest we start this wonderful talk with a journey into the past. What can you tell us about the years of your childhood, and how did this period influence you in the choice of your passion – acting?

When I think about the place where I was born, I… But no, I wasn’t born in Humulești. Although I’ve spent whole summers in the countryside, I didn’t have to work there, and I wasn’t tempted to steal cherries from the trees. Maybe other people picked them for me. I was a spoiled child, I’d sit in the shade of the vines and read. I’d read a lot. I’d play with flowers and pretend they were characters in a detective show. I even wrote novels. I think I still have some of my old notebooks. Some were inspired by Cireșarii, I admit, I read all the books in the series, and I even wrote my own version: The Little Detectives. I also wrote about princes and princesses: Princess Teodora, volumes 1 and 2. You can see how free and beautiful my childhood was, because my mother, my sister, my grandparents, my aunts and uncles knew how important that was. I think I have a family of incognito artists. This is pretty much how my love for stories began. And I liked to put on a show, to climb tables at parties and sing without stopping songs from Veronica, the good and obedient girl. My mother has some of these moments recorded on tapes. I watched them. It’s funny.

2. Did you have an idol that impressed you so much that they added an extra point to the choice of your career?

I don’t think I chose acting because I liked someone in particular. My first idols were characters from literature, fictional people. I really loved Prince Myshkin from The Idiot, and Nastasya Filippovna, too, I liked Anna Karenina, and then there were characters from the novels of Mario Vargas Llosa and many more, I’ve forgotten what books I read in high school. However, I remember I didn’t like reading drama. I can’t explain it. Then I started watching films. Dana Fodor, my friend, used to recommend me directors. One of the first directors that amazed me was Krzysztof Kieslowski. As an actress, I really, really loved Juliette Binoche. She impressed me in Bleu.

3. Where do you feel better – on the stage of the theatre, or on set?

That’s easy. At the theatre. I haven’t even spent that much time on set. It would be hypocritical to compare them.

Photo: Roza Zah („Omul cel bun din Seciuan” theatre play)

4. Știm că faci parte dintr-un proiect foarte frumos, denumit RAMPA. Povestește-ne mai multe despre el și spectacolele pe care le aveți.

RAMPA is an independent theatre company (we’re legal, we have all the proper documents) that I started in 2014 together with Mihai Alexandru Ion (head, director), Lucian Teodor Rus, Florin Crăciun Ionuț, Armine Vosganian, Maria Teodora Filip, actors. This is us, the founding members. But we are many, not just actors, but also set designers, visual artists, composers, make-up artists, etc. Our first show was The Asylum, which started all this madness, and which we played in a decommissioned factory at Solacolu Inn (some very open-minded people who let some new graduates… basically come to their home, and with this occasion I thank them personally). And then time passed. But we’ve made some other shows together, too, I allow myself to quote Mihai Alexandru Ion, we’ve done some very independent and very hardcore shows. I’ll talk about the season that we did – WE, WE, from promoting, selling tickets, giving tea to the spectators when it was cold (there weren’t many spectators, either, we had enough tea), acting, writing, directing and everything else that we believe a theatre entails. This happened at The Ark in Bucharest, thanks to Mircea Stăiculescu and Mihai Cocea. It’s too little, but once again I thank these people who received us there, who dealt with us, who let us free, who even gave us some brand identity workshops on top of it all (Mircea, you’re the best). There’s a lot to say about the year that I spent there, it was a second school for me. We did a mini theatre laboratory, very experimental, very serious, very funny, very tough, VERY… We did four shows there: JULIE. RAMPA VS STRINDBERG; EXHIBITION. RAMPA VS ORKENY; STAIPELOCHIAN. RAMPA VS THE BOOK OF WHISPERS; A STORMY NIGHT. RAMPA VS CARAGIALE. We’ve done these shows a lot, we would have liked to play them every day. We’ve learned from each other, we shouted at each other, mainly our director, Mișu, and the audience… was confused at first (what were we doing in a basement at The Ark, is this even THEATRE???), but then perhaps even became our friend. Now we don’t have a venue anymore. We’re looking for a host. We have some plans, but since nothing is clear, I’d rather not say anything. We have a Facebook page, RAMPA, where you can find some of our history, and we’ll also post about what’s next, when the time comes. We also have an Instagram account that I manage, lately I’ve neglected it a little, but you can also follow us there. Recently, some of the RAMPA team collaborated with the team of Ion Creangă Theatre in Bucharest. Mihai Alexandru Ion wrote and directed the show Pantalone in the Moon. It is performed this season. It’s for children, but it has a lot of charm for those we call adults. On the theatre website,www.teatrulioncreanga.ro you can find more details (programme, tickets). I think we’re RAMPA VS RAMPA. .

5. Aside from your shows with RAMPA, in what other theatre plays/cinema productions can the audience see you in the coming period?

I act at Bulandra, in the shows The Good Person of Szechwan and Carousel, both directed by Andrei Șerban, Pantalone in the Moon at Ion Creangă Theatre, directed by Mihai Alexandru Ion, The Brothers Karamazov at Elisabeta Theatre, directed by Bogdana Darie. I’m rehearsing for a new project at Bulandra Theatre, directed by Anca Maria Colțeanu, The Ninth Step, which will have its premiere soon. The film Moromeții 2 also premieres this November, and I have a pretty small role in that, too. I’m waiting for you.

6. Why should we choose to go to the theatre in our spare time?

Because it’s cool. Or at least it can be. The stage offers spectators the possibility to detach themselves. Is it a cliché, maybe, if I quote Mr. William Shakespeare and say, Drama is the mirror of life…? I’ll say that for me, personally, as a spectator, good drama has raised some really good questions, has empowered me, has entertained me, and has made me cry like a baby. I recommend theatre.

7. What are your plans for the future? Say, where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I don’t really think that far. One week at most. I’ll check my agenda and see what schedule I have. When I don’t have anything to do, I stay home, iron clothes, watch movies, hang out with my friends, or go out for a walk. But 10 years from now, that’s a very difficult exercise… I hope I’ll still be acting.

Photo: Florin Bondrilă  „Julie” theater play)

8. Aside from acting, what do you like to do in your spare time?

I got a little ahead of you, hihi, and told you, I iron clothes. I like ironing clothes, I’ve discovered it recently. I walk in the park. I like it in Herăstrău. Particularly in autumn. Bucharest seems to be made for yellow leaves fallen on the ground. I find it beautiful. In some neighbourhoods, of course. And in the park. I swim at the pool. I think I’ve made some progress in swimming. I go out with my friends for a coffee. For instance, I liked Origo. I also like this place in my neighbourhood, Griviței, a local pub, it’s called La Baltă. In summer, people watch the World Cup there. It’s really nice. People are very nervous during those weeks, out there, at La Baltă. I like watching football with the guys, too, with Mișu, Radu, Călin, and Răzvan. The girls are coming too, sometimes, but they can’t take it. I like going to the bakery with Mișu and get some bread. Brutăria cu Maia in Griviței neighbourhood is very cool. I love travelling, but I choose low-cost stuff, I stay with Airbnb. I really loved it on the Greek islands, but I won’t tell you which. I loved Berlin. And I love London, as the Crystal Fighters’ song goes. London is really cool. Oh, and I love riding my bike.

9. We like Romanian brands and we support local shopping. Can you tell us some Romanian brands that you like?

I told you, I’m going to Brutăria cu Maia, it’s very local, and I recommend it. I buy clothes online and in second hand shops, I don’t know a lot of local fashion brands. But Monique on Lipscani Street is a nice store. And the fanny packs made by BumbagR are also cute.

10. Coming back to your reference industry, what’s your advice for young people who want to become actors?

I find it weird to give advice. If you like acting, go for it. You’ll figure it out later.

Images source: Adela Bengescu personal archive
Photos: Florin Bondrilă  („Julie” theater play)