On Victory Avenue (Calea Victoriei), one of the most important avenues in Bucharest, those who love theatre can discover or rediscover the Odeon Theatre, at No 40-42. It is one of the best theatres in Bucharest, having been founded in 1946. Since then, it has made it's mark on contemporary Romanian culture, and several of the actors and directors "formed" here are important and respected names. In 1974 the Majestic Hall was opened, on the place of an old theatre, on Victory Avenue.
But the story of this place is much older. In the 17th century, this very ground was the property of Dumitrache Ghica, a high ranking official of those times. The first documented house was built here around 1768, and in 1807 the vast property was divided among the inheritors. In a few years, several "boyars", representing Romanian noble houses, built impressive residences here. In 1813 Ioan Caragea, the ruler at that time rented the Ghica property and the Slatineanu House, turning them into the Royal Quarters. Until 1825, these was the center for ruling power, covering the land where we now find Capsa, Majestic Hotel and others. In 1860 the Ghica property - house and land - was bought by Nicolae Lahovary, and it remained in his family's posession until 1948, when it was confiscated by the Romanian governement.
After 1860 the modernisation process forever changed Victory Avenue, and the Ghica House (Casa Ghica) was no exception. For a long time, it would be rented by firms and institutions, due to it's size, elegance and central location. The most important reconstruction of the whole property took place in the beginning of the 20th century, when the architect Grigore Cherchez created a large ensemble : Comedia Theatre, with other two building blocks, several shops and apartaments and, to the south, the Majestic Hotel. The new theatre was oficially opened on December 25th 1911. By the middle of the century the theatre was structurally changed : the hall was larger, the stage was put higher, several interior decorations and elements were added. In 1945 the building was severely damaged by the bombings, a large part of it being later rebuilt.
If until the 60's the whole structure was virtually unchanged, later the former house became the Cartea Rusa bookshop, and the Hotel Majestic was closed down, being reopened in the 1970's. In 1974 Comedia Hall of the National Theatre was renamed Majestic Hall of the Guilesti Theatre, institution which in 1990 would change it's name to the Odeon Theatre. In 2002 the whole building of the theatre was renovated, from furniture and decorations to stairs and stage.
The theatre has a team of 42 actors, 2 directors, 2 writers. The hall has 300 places. It is very popular not only in Bucharest, but also abroad, as many of the shows presented there enjoyed a great success. The Majestic Hall is one of the most elegant in Europe, and has already many faithful visitors, who come again and again to the theatre shows.
2007-12-13
