The award for the best play at the 29th International Festival of Small Stages and Monodramas of Republika Srpska was given to Comedy Interrupted in Development by the City Theater Semberija Bijeljina. The Festival Jury selected The Bridge on the Drina as the best monodrama, masterfully performed by Tihomir Tika Stanić.
The Bijeljina theater was recognized for its “innovative directorial approach and dramatization of a challenging text that communicates with the audience on a metanarrative level,” explained the jury, composed of directors Dragan Elčić, Vitomir Mitrić, and Danilo Bećković.
“This year’s selection presented five plays and four monodramas. The diversity posed a significant challenge for the jury. Despite the difficulty, all decisions were made unanimously,” said the jury president, Dragan Elčić, to SRNA.
The jury noted that “after the Nobel Prize, the award for the best monodrama is given to Ivo Andrić, who, thanks to Tihomir Stanić, reappeared among us to tell his most famous story in The Bridge on the Drina, produced by Jugoart Belgrade.”
The Best Actress award went to Nikolina Vujević for her stunning performance in the monodrama Nina, which showcased a wide range of stage skills, including acting, dancing, singing, mimicry, and outstanding improvisation.
Tihomir Stanić received the Best Actor award for his role in The Bridge on the Drina. His years-long dedication to the work and persona of Ivo Andrić resulted in a unique artistic approach and a masterful performance.
A special diploma was awarded to Mario Drmać for an exceptional transformation in his role, skillfully balancing comedy and drama in Don’t Give Up, Generation, a co-production of “My Theater” and the Sarajevo Youth Theater.
The special diploma for a duo performance was awarded to Maja Stojanović and Stevan Vuković for their psychologically convincing portrayal of a developing relationship in Lungs by the Nikšić Theater.
The jury suggested that, starting with the 30th anniversary edition of the International Festival of Small Stages and Monodramas, the award for the best monodrama should be named after the Festival’s creator, Professor Radoje Simović.
The Audience Award for Best Play was given to the co-production of Sarajevo Youth Theater and “My Theater” Sarajevo for Don’t Give Up, Generation. The Audience Award for Best Monodrama went to Nikolina Vujević for her performance of the original project Nina.
The 29th International Festival of Small Stages and Monodramas of Republika Srpska concluded with the performances of the monodrama The Bridge on the Drina and the play Oleanna by the Tivat Cultural Center, followed by the awards ceremony at the Cultural Center of East New Sarajevo.
Source: RTRS
