News / Objavljeno: 4/9/2025

A Topical and Technologically Innovative Drama Premiere

A Topical and Technologically Innovative Drama Premiere

The expressionist drama Woyzeck by Georg Büchner will premiere at the Croatian National Theatre Split on Tuesday, April 15. Directed by Borut Šeparović, the leading role of soldier Johann Christian Woyzeck is portrayed by Donat Zeko. The premiere was announced at a press conference in the foyer of the Split theatre.

Besides Donat Zeko, the cast includes Andrea Mladinić (as Woyzeck's common-law wife Marie), Trpimir Jurkić, Elvis Bošnjak, Stipe Jelaska, Mijo Jurišić, and Nikola Nedić. Intendant Vicko Bilandžić stated, "It is a great honor for our establishment to host Borut Šeparović, a prominent name in Croatian theatre, for an original project like Woyzeck. I believe we have provided everything he requested in terms of production, which were not small demands. We can expect a significant premiere with a very relevant theme."

Ivan Penović, the director of drama at HNK Split and the dramaturg for the play, remarked, "We chose this 19th-century expressionist drama, the first to highlight the so-called 'little man,' focusing on the lower social strata, as it tackles themes that are very relevant today, such as the militarization of society, human experimentation, and the clash between the military and science. This subject matter, along with the fragmented nature of the text, lent itself well to dramaturgy, contextualization, and updating in light of contemporary conflicts. We believe we have a unique production, making significant strides in the use of technology not just in our domestic scene but across Europe. Specifically, the use of drones and another technological 'creature' which will soon appear. This technology not only enhances the aesthetic of the play but actively aids in its dramaturgy."

Director Borut Šeparović added, "It's not an exaggeration to call this 21st-century theatre. Much of what we are doing, which is new not only locally but on a broader scale, wouldn't be possible without an institution open to modernity. To our knowledge, a production like this, involving flying drones operated by actors, has not been done before - not just in Croatia or the region, but anywhere. Without the theatre's support, and the openness and courage of our ensemble, such a production would not be possible. The actors deliver performances that are exceptionally mediated, existing both on stage and in the media, and they tackle this challenge head-on. Our Woyzeck is a mercenary caught in a proxy war, a fate that befalls many from society's underbelly. Such individuals often become subjects for drug testing or go to war, and if they survive, they frequently suffer from PTSD, filling Big Pharma's agenda. Everything around us, from Trump's policies to the expansion of the military-industrial complex, provides context to our Woyzeck nearly 200 years after the drama was created."

Donat Zeko, portraying Woyzeck, said, "We're striving to authentically depict that European tumult, which is astonishing in the 21st century. I'm not a child of war, and what happened in our region in the 90s seemed to be the last such event in Europe, but it wasn't."

Andrea Mladinić, regarding her role as Marie, said, "Marie is a woman of, as she puts it, different morals, yet she stands as a bright spot amid the war-torn mire for the other characters. To me, she is a kind of heroine, a single mother finding ways to feed her child. In the context of war and poverty, these solutions aren't always the happiest, but she's a woman who doesn't give up."

Trpimir Jurkić, in the role of the Doctor, commented, "In this play, we're tackling war in its worst possible sense. We're dealing with, as the text says, all those devilish layers with which we've buried our land—blood, mud, human remains, and beneath it, much lithium."

The production team, alongside director Borut Šeparović and dramaturg Ivan Penović, includes costume designer Tina Vukasović, with set design, video, and multimedia by MONTAЖSTROJ (Konrad Mulvaj and Borut Šeparović). Technical direction and assistant to the director are handled by Konrad Mulvaj, technical support by Ivica Kalinić, music by Rolo and MONTAЖSTROJ, stage movement by Borut Šeparović, lighting design by Srđan Barbarić, sound design by Damir Punda, and contextualization by Borut Šeparović and Ivan Penović.

Tagovi: Premijera Woyzeck u HNK Split