SEEstage’s favourite theatre shows of 2023
As the year draws to a close, SEEstage’s writers across the region discuss the shows that made a lasting impression on them in 2023.
Trojan Women – Replica: Breaking down barriers through theatre
Trojan Women – Replica is an ambitious cross-cultural coproduction between Kosovo’s Artpolis and Serbia’s DAH Theater. Florida Kastrati talks to the cast and directors about the piece’s unique development process in Belgrade and Prishtina.
Theatre in Times of Crisis: “We will have to reinvent ourselves”
Tom Mustroph spoke to theatre practitioners from Ukraine, Israel, and Hong Kong about the different ways in which theatre can react to catastrophe.
The Best European Show: “A reality check of where we are today”
The Best European Show is a satire of the politics of European theatre inspired by the Eurovision Song Contest. Nick Awde talks to director Haris Pašović about his new international coproduction performed by actors from eight nations.
63rd MESS Festival: Celebrating Susan Sontag in Sarajevo
The 63rd International Theater Festival MESS took place between 30th September and 8th October in Sarajevo. Ana Ogrizović reports on this year’s programme including the world premiere of a new production of Susan Sontag’s Alice in Bed.
57th BITEF: Sun, song and strength – a critical dialogue
This year’s Belgrade International Theatre Festival (BITEF) marked Nikita Milivojević’s first as artistic director. At the end of eight days of performance, Borisav Matić, Andrej Čanji and Natasha Tripney gathered to discuss their impressions of the festival, the highlights and the let-downs.
Negotiating Peace: “Cultural cooperation in Europe is a political act”
Nick Awde speaks to playwright Jeton Neziraj, director Blerta Neziraj and actor Orest Pastukh about their timely new international coproduction exploring peace negotiation processes.
Singing Youth: “Political systems embedded in culture are here to stay”
The creators of Singing Youth Judit Böröcz, György Bence Pálinkás and Máté Szigeti discuss inherited power structures and Hungarian politics past and present.
Belgrade Pride Theatre Festival: Queering the Serbian stage
The Belgrade Pride Theatre Festival takes place every year during Pride Week. Andrej Čanji reports on this year’s programme and two very different explorations of queer lives in the region.
The Shadow Garden: Exploring trauma and war on stage
In 1999, 15 members of the Bogujevci family were massacred in their garden in Kosovo. Nick Awde discusses artistic responsibility and bearing witness with the creative team behind a new cross-cultural production exploring their story.