National Theatre "Marin Sorescu" Craiova has a special place in the history of Romanian theater. Founded in 1850, it continued to operate, despite the turmoil of history.  In the first decades of existence, the National Theatre achieved only musical and vaudeville. After 1900, the emphasis was on dramatic performances, mainly on universal theater classics, especially Shakespeare and Molière. 
The years 1989 - 2012 have been great artistic moments, working with director Silviu Purcarete, who performed eight exceptional performances, favorably received by both critics and audiences. These performances were rewarded with numerous national and international awards.  At the same time, the band which is made up of over 150 artists and technicians worked with other directors propelling the prestigious National Theatre of Craiova into a privileged position in the Romanian and international theater (120 tournaments in 55 countries) .  This theater is the first in Eastern Europe that joined the European Theatre Convention in 1999. 
The highlight of the theater is Shakespeare Festival. 
Created in 1994, the Festival has allowed Romanian theater dialogue at the highest international level.  Thus, in Craiova were represented Shakespeare performances directed by Declan Donellan, Eimuntas Nekrosius, Peter Brook, Robert Wilson, Lev Dodin, Eugenio Barba, Pipo Delbono, Yoshihiro Kurita and Oskaras Khorsunovas to name some. 
This festival has captured the attention of the public and professionals in theater by presenting real value shows in Germany, Russia, UK, Romania, Denmark, South Korea, Lithuania and France.  Awareness of theater companies such as "Berliner Ensemble", "Shakespeare's Globe" (London), "Municipal Theatre OK Vilnius" (Lithuania), Company "Scene en vie" (Grenoble, France), the Company Proppeller (United Kingdom), Theatre Kolyada (Ekaterinburg, Russia), Odin Teatret (Denmark), Bucharest National Theatre, National Theatre "Marin Sorescu" and represtents unquestionable artistic value.  There have been performances of symphonic music and opera using a Shakespearean theme, akin to a puppet show. 
The presence of Shakespeareologi and Stanley Wells, Paul Edmondson, Michael Dobson, Lawrence Guntner ensured a high level of debate that accompanied performances presented at the Shakespeare Festival. 
The performance of the National Theatre of Craiova, Profu 'religion, Mihaela Michailov, directed by Bobby Pricop, was recently awarded the Audience Award (No. II), Festival Theatre "New Plays from Europe" in Wiesbaden (Germany ). 
The most important theater project undertaken in recent years in Romania, "Rhinoceros" by Eugene Ionesco, directed by Robert Wilson, premiered on July 2, 2014, at the National Theatre Craiova.Timp.  For several months, a large group of theater actors led by Robert Wilson, saw a team of collaborators from seven countries, staging a show as complex as it is innovative.  Robert Wilson was accompanied by a team of specialists working on his performances greatly valued on the international scene.
Awards: 
UNITER-received in various categories: Best Actor, Best Directing, Best Performance, obtained several years in a row. 
Lifetime Achievement Award in supporting and promoting cultural relations between Romania and the British, awarded by the British Council in the gala UNITER - Emil Boroghina organizer Shakespeare Festival.
The award for best scenography - Lia Dogaru - International Theatre Festival short 
Award of Excellence - Ilie Gheorghe ("Jonah") - Gala STAR Bacau 
Special Jury Prize at the Shakespeare Festival in Gdansk, Poland - "How do you want or night when the show" by William Shakespeare, directed by Silviu Purc?rete 
Golden Wreath Award for Directing Night show what you want or when the show (Silviu Purc?rete) Prize for the best interpretation of a male role (Elijah Gheorghe- Sir Toby) 
Award for ingenuity refund classics - "The Ugly Duckling" - International Theatre Festival of Animation "Joy for Children" - Bucharest