Nativity Drama
a popular theatre, a play of masks
In some places, Nativity drama is called ”Irozii” (especially in Transylvania) – meaning King Irod and his gang. In other places it’s called ”Vifleim” or ”Vicleim” – the Romanian different reading for Bethlehem. It’s a form of folk theatre, which represents the birth of Jesus.
The characters are:
- King Irod, wearing a long red cloak on his shoulders, a sword at his hip and a big crown on his head.
- The three mags: Valtezar in yellow, Gaspar in pink and Melhior in violet-blue clothes.
- The priest Ozia wears a black coat and carries a book and a cross in his hands
- The captain wearing something like uniform.
- The soldiers wearing old military coats.
- The two shepherds, Action and Coridon, wear national costumes.
- The angel wearing, naturally, a long white coat.
- The gipsies wearing old, seedy clothes.
The fight between the old and the New Year often begins what is called “the nativity drama”. Then comes the scene of Jesus Christ birth. After that they play the infanticide scene, the play being ended with a Christmas carol.
Nativity drama is inspired by the clerical literature from the Bible texts. Other forms of folk theatre are going hand in hand with the religious one. The dolls play. These are delighting moments at the end of a serious drama. In the scene is shown King’s Irod garden and a town square where characters satirize people’s habits.
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