Alexandru Dabija projects the pranks of the small-town "drakes" in an oneiric space, aiming for a surrealist depiction. The confrontations and conflicts between the characters amount to a battle of ideas regarding one's social behavior, both past and present.
Conformism is sanctioned by the four "knights of freedom" who really commit to their role as famous pranksters: Ciriviș, inspired by Dem. Demetrescu-Buzău (Urmuz), played by Ionuț Caras; Macferlan, who represents the author and is played by Matei Rotaru; Bălălău, played very humorously by Radu Lărgeanu and Pentagon, feminized in this show as Pentagoana and played by Ramona Dumitrean. The childishness of these adolescents turns the peaceful citizens against them; it is a blunt attack on conformism and conservatism.
Adrian Țion, The End of the Season at the Nation Theater: The Drake Head,
in the magazine Făclia, July 19th 2023, p. 6
It is a rigorous, challenging, fast-paced show, but the ideas are very clear and convergent and generate great performances. Alexandru Dabija has once again pursued artistic quality usque ad finem, just like he always does.
Alexandru Jurcan, Urmuz's Friend Smells Human,
in Tribuna, no. 502, 1-15 August 2023
The rebels choose a tree as their home and turn it into a new world. The four friends are not even interested in the tree's fruit. It is an atypical lifestyle, breaking away from an egocentric society. It is a world where sharing is the new religion, and acceptance is the very meaning of life [...]. Ultimately, the colored dust around the tree and a new version of the song People by Aurelian Andreescu prove that the world is beautiful in its diversity, that there is something miraculous in every honest intention. The spectator is convinced that change begins with each of us and joy can be a lifestyle.
Anca Șugar, Vaccinating the Public in the Name of Beauty, under the Guise of the Grotesque,
in Tribuna, no. 503, 16-31 August 2023
Roxana Croitoru, O premieră cu și de succes,
Teatrul azi, nr. 3-4/2023, p. 101
Silviu Purcărete always manages to create a personal, easily recognizable universe, where the magic of the show - which he commands so flawlessly - relies on very few dramatic means: the light which seems to come from the magician's hat, stage movement and unexpected angles, a surprising resolution, a profound and always new and alive interpretation of the text. The director's vision selects the meanings of the text and guides the spectator towards a subtle understanding of the entire story. All these instruments, which make up Purcărete's aesthetic, are used gracefully and poetically, while also paying attention to each and every actor, from the protagonist to the secondary characters, in order to create a balanced, fluid, intelligent structure, with humorous details and accents.
Adriana Moca, Theatrical Perspectives from Cluj,
in Perspective - an online platform about theater, the arts, life and other demons...
The flight of fancy is replaced here by the pursuit of essence. A genuine pursuit and an invitation to meditate. [...] The show appears as a satire, under the guise of a mythical tale, initially written by Jean-Baptiste Poquelin about Ludovic XIV's (alleged) romantic affairs. However, Silviu Purcărete made the story into a solemn and ironic version of this legend built on the theme of adultery.
Adrian Țion, Silviu Purcărete in Cluj,
in Făclia, no. 9861/June 2nd 2023
