On Thursday, January 16, the National Theatre of Republika Srpska will stage The Broken Jug, a play by Heinrich von Kleist, directed by Tatjana Mandić Rigonat.
This Kleist comedy, performed on German stages for over 200 years, raises serious and still-relevant questions. Concealing the truth, the fight for justice, abuse of judicial power, and sexual coercion are just some of the themes Kleist vividly portrays on stage.
Kleist’s humor and fast-paced dialogues full of character, despite the weighty themes, allow the audience to view the characters’ situations with comedic relief rather than plunging into tragedy. Who benefits from hiding the truth, and why? What really happened to the jug, and why was it broken?
Was it Ruprecht, who couldn’t contain his anger, Eva, who saw no way out of her predicament, Judge Adam, who abuses his position, or perhaps the devil himself, leaving behind bloody hoofprints?
The jug also serves as a metaphor for society—something that once held great value and significance is now broken into pieces, left to individuals of questionable morality to decide its fate.
This masterpiece is one of the most frequently performed plays in German-speaking countries. Despite being written in 1811, it resonates strongly today, reflecting a time when societal pillars are shaken, deceit and decadence prevail, and selective justice becomes the norm. These themes make the play highly sought after, with tickets often in great demand.
The cast includes Aleksandar Stojković, Ljubiša Savanović, Boris Šavija, Miljka Brđanin, Tara Jovanić, Vladimir Đorđević, Ilija Ivanović, Slađana Zrnić, and Ana Vinčić.
Source: Glas Srpske
