The Croatian National Theatre in Split is set to premiere "Robi K. / Little Red Riding Hood is Dead" on Wednesday, November 20th, at its national theater stage. Directed by Kokan Mladenović, the play is a collaborative dramatization by Viktor Ivančić, Kokan Mladenović, and Karla Leko, along with the cast.
critiqued the absurdities of contemporary society for 40 years through Ivančić's writings. The cast includes Petra Kovačić Botić and Goran Marković as Robi's parents, while Nenad Srdelić plays the grandfather from Šolta. Other characters in Robi's twisted world are brought to life by Katarina Romac, Nikša Arčanin, Elvis Bošnjak, Mijo Jurišić, Donat Zeko, Stipe Radoja, Andrea Mladinić, Zdeslav Čotić, Tajana Jovanović, Anastasija Jankovskaja, and Monika Vuco Carev.
Viktor Ivančić expressed his thoughts on the themes of the play during a recent press conference: “Robi’s childlike perspective is positioned to question societal norms. We live in a world with too many unequivocal answers and too few questions, making this child an ideal satirical subject. This production will challenge rigid dogmas and absolute truths. The essence of satire lies in questioning, resisting dogmatically imposed answers.”
Director Kokan Mladenović reflected on the significance of Ivančić’s work, stating, “I have had the fortune to direct Aristophanes and Rabelais, and I consider the works of Viktor Ivančić to be among the most brilliant moments in satire and political literature worldwide. It’s a privilege to work with such a bold and significant author. His columns were a beacon of common sense in our region, and on a theatrical level, this material is one of the most exciting and provocative I've encountered in years.”
Dramaturg Karla Leko commented, “We aimed to connect these fragmented columns into a rhythmic whole, presenting a unique depiction of Robi’s world. The play is fast-paced, dynamic, and covers numerous themes while depicting the reality of a nine-year-old child.”
Stipe Jelaska, who plays Robi K., emphasized the collective effort of the cast, stating, “My performance will shine not because of me, but due to my colleagues and all the incredible work they do.”
The creative team also includes set designer Filip Triplat, costume designer Aleksandra Pecić Mladenović, with music composed by Studio Bozon. Anja Ostojić is responsible for movement direction, Branimir Bokan for lighting design, and Damir Punda for sound design.
Following its premiere on November 20th, additional performances are scheduled for November 21st, 22nd, and December 2nd and 11th. The production promises a poignant exploration of the themes of innocence and the complexity of adult society through the eyes of a child.