Selector:

Zeljko Hubač
Playwright

Selector's note

Selection of the competitive program 19th Children’s Theatre Festival ZVEZDARIŠTE

“Step into the adventure”

Judging by quantity, institutional children's theaters in the region have been facing serious production issues for several years now, which is becoming quite worrisome this season. It is indisputable that such a creative atmosphere reflects on the quality. In response, theaters are attempting to overcome these growing problems in various, more or less effective ways. Understandably, many are not willing to risk engaging new authors and instead try to maintain their repertoire by choosing popular and well known titles—fairy tales that are familiar to children. They partly succeed in this endeavor, especially when these authors are masters of dramatic attraction. Some of these authors, influenced by European theater aesthetics, particularly from children's theaters in Sweden and Germany, seek inspiration in theatrical prose dominating the repertoires of Western European children's theaters. This approach allows some advancements in content.

A smaller number of theater managements in the region aim for artistic breakthroughs by engaging young authors, especially playwrights and other collaborators. This year's productions show some improvement in terms of quality, aesthetics and societal engagement.

However, the decline in production quality at private children's theaters is alarming, with rare exceptions in Slovenia and Croatia. Therefore, it is crucial for cultural ministries to intensify collaboration with these theaters through competitions and education. Leaving children's theaters to market forces could have serious consequences, not only artistically.

Despite the enumerated challenges, this year's selection offers a greater number of exceptionally high-quality performances for audience. These productions embody everything that constitutes contemporary children's theater, essential for comprehensive youth education. Notably, they include quality dramatic texts, especially original ones, inventive directing techniques and excellent acting performances, particularly from young actors who view children's theater as a significant space for their artistic development and undeniable talent.  

While not limiting ourselves to the applications or the selection itself, we believe that puppet theater, traditionally more avant-garde than drama, experienced some stagnation last year, primarily in terms of form. Drama theater for children, particularly those stamped by young authors, was more provocative aesthetically and didactically, reflecting a broad thematic framework aligned with the real-life issues faced by young audience.

It is important to emphasize that this year's selection largely does not reflect the current state of regional children's theater production. It serves as proof that quality can be achieved even under such conditions. Consequently, efforts should intensify to substantially improve the aforementioned creative atmosphere, ensuring that preserved potentials have the future they deserve. 

I propose the following selection to the Festival Council:

  1. The Secret Diary of Adrian MoleSue Townsend, dramatization by Milena Depolo, directed and adapted by Tatjana Mandić Rigonat – Boško Buha Theatre, Belgrade
  2. Underwater ConcertAndrej Rozman Roza, directed by Natalija Manojlović Varga – Dance Theatre Ljubljana
  3. The Ancient Girl, based on the novel by Desanka Maksimović, dramatization by Mina Petrić, directed by Sonja Petrović – National Theatre "Toša Jovanović", Puppet Stage, Zrenjanin
  4. Don't Go Far Awaywritten and directed by Tamara Kučinović – Children's Theatre Subotica// Szabadkai Gyermekszínház
  5. Xenia and Huntsmanby Aleksandra Verbalov and Teodora Marković, directed by Emilija Mrdaković –Youth Theatre, Novi Sad
  6. Bird of Sandby Benjamin Bajramović, directed by Ajla Bešić – JU Bosnian National Theater Zenica
  7. Fairy tale all made of sugarwritten and directed by Sara Lustig – coproduction of Theatre Virovitica and City Theatre "Joza Ivakić" Vinkovci
  8. Nine Lives of Lucas the Catwritten and directed by Vanja Jovanović – Children's Theatre of Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka
  9. The Magical City, by Đorđe Kosić, directed by Anđelka Beroš – Puppet Theatre "Pinocchio", Belgrade
  10. Endless storybased on the novel by Michael Ende, adaptation and direction by Ana Tomović – Small Theatre "Duško Radović", Belgrade
  11. Cinderellaby Charles Perrault, adaptation and direction by Olivera Viktorović – National Theatre of Timočka Krajina "Zoran Radmilović" Zaječar
  12. The Brave seamstressby Jelena Paligorić Sinkević, directed by Marko Torlaković – Kruševac Theatre, Kruševac

Belgrade, May 15 2024

Zeljko Hubač