Personal Angle “Balkan spy in Sarajevo” in Belgrade. And it felt like home!

  • 25 Dec 2015
  • Personal Angles
REGIONAL COOPERATION IN CULTURE - Guest performance of Sarajevo National Theatre with play “Balkan spy in Sarajevo” at Zvezdara Theatre in Belgrade on Friday, 11 December 2015 supported by RCC (Photo: RCC/Natasa Mitrovic)

REGIONAL COOPERATION IN CULTURE - Guest performance of Sarajevo National Theatre with play “Balkan spy in Sarajevo” at Zvezdara Theatre in Belgrade on Friday, 11 December 2015 supported by RCC (Photo: RCC/Natasa Mitrovic)

REGIONAL COOPERATION IN CULTURE - Guest performance of Sarajevo National Theatre with play “Balkan spy in Sarajevo” at Zvezdara Theatre in Belgrade on Friday, 11 December 2015 supported by RCC (Photo: RCC/Natasa Mitrovic)

REGIONAL COOPERATION IN CULTURE - Guest performance of Sarajevo National Theatre with play “Balkan spy in Sarajevo” at Zvezdara Theatre in Belgrade on Friday, 11 December 2015 supported by RCC (Photo: RCC/Natasa Mitrovic)

“Balkan spy in Sarajevo” surely proved one thing to me – waterproof eye mascaras are not remotely as waterproof as the advertisements say. In my case it failed the simple task of seeing a theatre play. But then, it is probably my mistake, maybe I should have put on some more ‘resistant’ make up?  

There was a river of tears shed that Friday evening in Belgrade: tears of joy, tears drawn by an amazing comedy show, but also tears of sadness or maybe nostalgia… The wet cheeks almost hurting from the constant change in mood. The Spy made some inner beasts raise their ugly heads but it also brought back the butterfly feelings invoked by the times gone by and coming back no more. A wonderful sweet and sour treat for the soul and yet incredibly funny as well!

 “The Balkan spy in Sarajevo” dressed the famous 33 year play, the renowned “Balkan spy”, in new clothes, tailored for modern times but still fitting like a glove to the realities of the Balkans as they are today. It still opens the regional Pandora’s Box, triggering the same emotions. The story is an old one but still very applicable to the new circumstances. It reminded us of a past we shared in its best and worst ways, and it made us see the present more clearly. Also at its best and its worst.  It was a magical theatre night which was authentic, funny, sad, disturbing, realistic, leaving no stone unturned and no soul untouched.    

Sarajevo National Theatre’s small ensemble had a most difficult task – to live up to expectations of the Belgrade audience, “spoiled” by the fact that it still remembers the original staging of this play led by the late and irreplaceable comic actor Danilo Bata Stojkovic. And, to perform on the stage named after Mr Stojkovic! It was daunting also because they were playing in front of the playwright, Dusan Kovacevic, the current manager of Zvezdara Theatre. It gives me no small pleasure to say – WOW, did the Sarajevo ensemble rise to the challenge!

The Sarajevo version of the “Spy” did not try to compete with the invincible original, but it bravely found its own way and language to convey the message. With new tricks, juggling common sense with humour and memories; with heritage and a common mentality, the 5-actor crew broke the silence and earned its first applause within minutes of coming on stage. After that, it was a downhill stroll through the meadows.

Quiet smiles and loud laughter and many, many tears (with and without mascara) in the jam-packed audience throughout the play and ovations at the end! Tears in the actors’ eyes as well, especially when they were lauded by the playwright, Kovacevic. Or was it just the light of the stage reflectors or my mascara-distorted vision? It was a fabulous experience, the fourth time for the RCC to be facilitating cultural exchange in the region and proving yet again that the universal theatrical, musical or literary experience crosses all boundaries easily and brings joy to many. This show must go on! 

Last but not least, please excuse me for using the opportunity to slide in an encrypted message for my RCC colleagues: the “Balkan spy in Sarajevo” in Belgrade gave ‘THE Mirza’ a moment in time he deserves, most appreciated by ‘Mirza’s flock’

Ratka Babic