“THE POKONDIRENA TIKVA” TO OPEN 97TH THEATRE SEASON IN BANJA LUKA

The National Theatre of the Republic of Srpska will officially open its 97th theatre season on Sunday, 18 October, with the premiere of The Pokondirena Tikva (The Topsy-Turvy Pumpkin), a comedy by Serbian playwright Jovan Sterija Popović, directed by Željko Đukić.

The performance will take place on the Main Stage of the National Theatre of the Republic of Srpska, starting at 8 p.m. Following the premiere, awards will be presented to the best actor, best actress and best production of the previous theatre season.

A CLASSIC RETURNS TO THE STAGE

The Pokondirena Tikva is being staged at the National Theatre of the Republic of Srpska for the third time. The play was first performed at the theatre in 1948, followed by another production in 1975.

One of the most significant works of Serbian dramatic literature, the comedy uses humour and satire to expose pretentiousness, snobbery and the desire for social recognition.

At the centre of the story is Fema, a woman determined to rise above her social origins by imitating the manners and lifestyle of a class to which she aspires to belong. Her pursuit of prestige and refinement leads to a series of comic situations while raising a deeper question about the loss of personal identity in the attempt to become someone else.

Nearly two centuries after it was written, Sterija Popović’s comedy remains remarkably relevant, reminding audiences that the desire for acceptance and recognition can lead people to reject their own roots and identity.

AN EXPERIENCED CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM

The new production is directed by Željko Đukić, with dramaturgy by Adam Ranđelović and costume design by Nataša Vučurović Đukić. The music is composed by Petar Bilbija, while Dejan Sredojević is responsible for the language adaptation and stage speech.

Ana Tešić is the choreographer for stage movement, Aleksandar Čavlek is the lighting designer, and Nikola Đaković is the producer.

The cast includes Nikolina Friganović, Tara Jovanić, Ljubiša Savanović, Isidora Davidović, Aleksandar Stojković, Sandra Pravuljac, Željko Erkić and Vojin Topalović, also known as Vojin Vukelić.

A CEREMONIAL START TO THE NEW SEASON

The premiere will bring together the heritage of Serbian dramatic literature and a contemporary theatrical approach, while also celebrating the artists and production that marked the previous theatre year.

With the opening of its new season, the National Theatre of the Republic of Srpska continues its commitment to preserving domestic dramatic heritage and presenting fresh interpretations of works that have shaped Serbian literature and theatre.