Davila, Alexandrescu

Born Feb. 12. 1862. in Bucharest; died there Oct. 19. 1929. Rumanian playwright. director, and theatrical figure.

Davila received his education in Paris. His art developed under the influence of the work of the French director Antoine. Vlaicu-Vodá, a historical drama in verse, which was Davila’s most significant play, was presented in 1902 on the stage of the Bucharest National Theater. From 1905 to 1908 and 1912 to 1914 he was director of the National Theater; in 1909 he organized a troupe known as Davila’s Company, where plays by Shakespeare, Moliere, Beaumarchais, Wilde, and others were staged. Davila gave considerable attention to Rumanian drama; he followed the principles of K. S. Stanislavsky. His activities furthered the development of the art of directing in Rumania. He trained a great number of outstanding Rumanian actors and directors. In 1915 he ceased to work in the theater because of illness.