Versiunea in Romana
Diary of a Madman
1 March 2025
- Events
- Diary of a Madman
Diary of a Madman
The Diary of a Madman by Nikolai Gogol is a bitter comedy, a story where laughter and tragedy intertwine, revealing the absurdity of a world that hastens, alienates, and dehumanizes. At the heart of this tale is Poprishchin, a minor clerk caught in the cold, impersonal maze of a dystopian society. In his desperate attempt to find meaning and connection, he gradually slides into a delightful madness, filled with ridiculous situations and absurd thoughts.
The play’s comedy does not stem solely from the absurd circumstances of Poprishchin’s life but also from the subtle reflection of our own world, where each person, trapped in their daily routine, faces their own obsessions and frustrations. The laughter evoked by this comedy is one that strips away pretenses and liberates. In the face of life’s absurdity, perhaps the only solution is to laugh.
And, alongside Poprishchin, we might also ask ourselves: In this mad world, who is truly the madman?
Performance by: Cătălin Anastase
Directed and Designed by: Florin Zamfirescu