I absolutely couldn’t miss the visit from Serbian theatre with play “Mrs.Minister”, one of the oldest and classic comedy works by wonderful Branislav Nušić, the play that has been 100% sure hit ever since it first arrived in 1929 - this is really a rare thing, theatre phenomenon that could always be re-interpreted and re-constructed to reflect human ignorance, stupidity and greed although it was actually written in some other times. I guess its longevity just proves that its a real masterpiece.
The main character here is Mrs. Živka Popović (played by Lidija Stevanović) - typical small-minded matron, busy with gossip, neighbours and her sewing machine, whose husband (never even shown in the play) might suddenly became a minister by some twists and turns of political upheavals. Surrounded by hangers-on, this newly crowned Mrs.Minister is immediately obsessed with all sorts of plots and plans how to overshadow her predecessors and impress the neighbourhood, while the whole household is instantly placed in turmoil and confusion. What follows is the genius of comedy and the fireworks display of provincial greed, ignorance and stupidity - Mrs.Minister parades around with a new golden tooth, gets herself a gigolo who will give her lessons in bon ton (she has to learn how to smoke, play bridge and definitely needs a lover because every elegant, sophisticated lady has one) and everybody around her has to improve since she will go places. There is a whole list of delicious supporting roles that circle around her like vultures, expecting favours now when she is minister’s wife - they will all disappear quickly the moment when minister resign, embarrassed by scandals created by his wife but even at finale, Mrs.Minister is not giving up, she faces the audience and promises she will be back!
Its an excellent role and I bet every actress dream to play such unforgettable character as Mrs.Minister - her mad determination to show herself as classy lady is hilarious and audience loves her, we laugh with her as much as at her. I have seen several different casts on now-classic TV shows and it was a great joy to see the play finally live in theatre, specially as we had a rare opportunity to see Serbian actors performing it during a tour. It was “Boško Buha” theatre from Novi Sad - in old days of Yugoslavia it was very common that theatre groups tour the whole country up and down, but since we had civil war I guess things got scaled down to local performances and now, two decades after the end of the war, cultural exchange between two countries started again, to the delight of the audience who bought all the tickets to see this classic Serbian comedy play performed by Serbian actors. I have naturally heard some Croatian actors murmuring how they did it differently and faster but resisted to get involved in an argument with them, let them think whatever they want, this is Serbian play and these wonderful actors know best how to bring these characters to life. Loved, loved, loved it!
p.s.
It seems that when the play was still new, critics attacked the playwright that this is all too local and provincial, but I disagree - even though its all about certain social group placed in its time, I bet that with the right translation this could be a huge smash everywhere.
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