KULTURA / CULTURE 42 | Pozorište » Theatre Mitchell, representsacompletelynew wayof creating theatre,” stressesMedenica.The play addresses toxic professional relationships in the world of academia, but its distinct specificity is that the electricity required to stage the play is generated in it – by pedalling bicycles; the stage design is created from recycled materials and the costumes are re-used from old productions, which justifies the play’s “ecological” epithet. This prestigious festival also offers cleansing through art, which is to be expected of the theatre. “We will reach catharsis primarily in a classical way, through identifying emotionally with the unfortunate destinies of the heroes. But not one of the plays is severe, harshly judgemental, rathermanyof them are characterised by the Chekhovian combination of warmth and humour,” says Medenica. Although the attention of the audience is directed towards tough issues, its finale, with the Slovenian play Crises, suggests that such situations can also prove stimulating; that they propel us into action and infuse us with optimism. And that same tone runs through the very structure of some of the plays: they are not the spawn of a single author, but rather the fruit of cooperative work and the ideas of all participants, and each layer carries its own poetics. Although Medenica says of all the pieces selected that he “loves themlikehisownchildren”, henonetheless has his favourites, which is why he recommends the Alexander Zeldin play LOVE, to be performed at the Port of Belgrade’s Plava Sala [Blue Hall] on 30th September. “LOVEisundeniablyamajor festival hit worldwide and that’s confirmed on all stages. The BBC even made its ownfilmadaptationof the play, because it possesses thatwhich audiences lovethemost: strongemotions and outstanding acting,” says the BITEF artistic director, explaining why he’s singling out that play. With the pieces Crises andSolo, by topSlovenian theatredirectors of the youngest generation Žiga Divjak and Nina Rajić Kranjac, both of whom are gifted and rebellious, he predicts a bright future – one that will already start at Bitef. Medenica also believes in the potential of the play Dr. Auslender (Made for Germany), accentuatedbytheaforementioned performance venue. However, thisartisticdirectorpromises that audienceswill also enjoy all the other performances. FOTO: MANUEL G VICENTA
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