BANJA LUKA – The play “Lady Nola”, produced by the Serbian National Theatre from Novi Sad, was performed last night as part of the Competition Programme of the 28th Petar Kočić Theatre Fest.
The production is based on the short story of the same name by Isidora Sekulić, adapted for the stage by Aleksandra Jovanović and directed by Sonja Petrović.
The play tells the story of Lady Nola, a woman who endures during a period of occupation, internal and external corruption, political arrests and killings, forced cultural assimilation, religious suppression, and the denial of language, national identity and national symbols. In the eternal provincial setting of Bačka, she survives as a single mother. Despite living in an atmosphere of occupation that fuels intensified national feelings, she gradually learns the essence of true patriotism and allows herself to embrace other peoples and customs, reflecting the cosmopolitan worldview woven throughout Isidora Sekulić’s literary works.
Although she believes she has failed because she could not preserve the land entrusted to her by Toša, Lady Nola ultimately becomes a heroine and a living monument because she preserved what mattered most – people and children. Land may diminish and disappear over time, but people who respect differences, value modesty and believe in honest work remain. The play raises questions about the true meaning of patriotism and motherhood, portraying motherhood as a force capable not only of creating a new world but also of shaping it.
The creative team includes dramaturge Aleksandra Jovanović, set designer Marija Kalabić, costume designer Irina Somborac Oke, composer Nenad Kojić, choreographer and movement director Jovana Rakić, speech consultant Đorđe Marković, lighting designer Mia Mlinarević, assistant director Nikola Novak, set design assistants Mladen Stojanović and Željka Jakovljević, costume assistant Snežana Horvat, stage manager Vladimir Savin and prompter Anisija Bogdan.
The cast features Gordana Đurđević Dimić, Nenad Pećinar, Ljubiša Milišić, Marija Čutura, Milan Kovačević, Bojana Milanović, Anđela Pećinar, Peđa Marjanović, Dimitrije Aranđelović, Ivana Pančić Dobrodolac, Stefan Vukić, Dušan Vukašinović, Mia Simonović Aranđelović, Sonja Kesler, Katarina Bradonjić, Iskra Šimon, Zoja Pećinar, Lav Vukašinović and Nikola Tubić.
The combination of classic literature, an outstanding stage adaptation, imaginative direction and powerful performances makes this production particularly memorable. Based on Isidora Sekulić’s most famous prose work, “Chronicle of a Small-Town Cemetery”, with Lady Nola at its centre, the play presents the story of a woman who stands as an unshakable pillar against all of life’s storms.
Director Sonja Petrović shapes this extraordinary female strength through an inventive theatrical approach, guiding the audience through four stages of Nola’s life, portrayed by four different actresses. Alongside Nola’s story unfolds the intimate drama of a contemporary woman struggling to become a mother.
All artistic elements, including the minimalist set design, carefully crafted costumes, precise stage movement and speech, sound effects, music and songs, blend seamlessly into a complete theatrical vision lasting two hours and forty minutes.
Source: Glas Srpske
