A monodrama titled Cabaret with Singing and Shooting (of Individuals), an original project by actor Boris Šavija, will be performed tonight at 8 p.m. on the Main Stage of the National Theatre of Republika Srpska in Banja Luka.
This distinctive cabaret form promises a layered theatrical experience blending irony, social critique, and emotional tones.
Humor and warning through epic theatre
The performance is based on Šavija’s original text, interwoven with fragments of poetry, drama, and satirical writings by Bertolt Brecht. This approach creates a dialogue between the modern individual and Brecht’s ideas, raising questions of fear, silence, and personal responsibility in moments when “normality” becomes dangerous.
The cabaret structure allows rapid shifts from humor to unease, reminding the audience that theatre is not merely an escape from reality, but a space for critical reflection. At the core is Šavija’s precise performance which, in the spirit of Brecht’s epic theatre, encourages critical awareness rather than emotional identification.
Live music as critical commentary
A special dimension is added by live music composed by Irena Popović Dragović, serving not as accompaniment but as a sharp commentary that enhances critical distance. Guest performer Arsen Čarkić will appear on piano, while sound is handled by Ninoslav Dobrijević Tiki.
The production is led by Zoran Galić (Association Wizard), with dramaturgy by Radmila Smiljanić and scenography by Nađa Sinić. The project was supported by the Ministry of Education and Culture of Republika Srpska and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.
Who was Bertolt Brecht?
Bertolt Brecht (1898–1956) was a German playwright and theorist, best known as the founder of epic theatre. His concept emphasized rational reflection on social injustice rather than emotional catharsis—an approach this monodrama brings to the stage in Banja Luka.
Source: Glas Srpske
