Without Stevan, without the smile and ease of play

Colleagues say goodbye to the actor whose energy and charisma ruled the scene, and whose role ended too soon

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Stevan Radusinović, Photo: CNP
Stevan Radusinović, Photo: CNP
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

Anyone who has ever entered the Montenegrin National Theater or visited any other theatrical event, has noticed and remembered Stevan Radusinović. Calm, perceptive, distinctive, authentic, he was a man whose soul lived in the theater. Stevan Radusinović left the stage of life on Sunday, August 4, he died suddenly at the age of 47.

It seems that he was assigned the wrong role in this drama, because there were definitely a lot of others in front of him that he had to play, while the "role of his life" was still waiting for him, the one in which he would reach his own heights and excel with the spectrum of acting skills that he cultivated. And yet, with each role, he occupied the stage with his energy, charisma and wide range of the actor, breaking through the boundaries of darkness. It was as if his acting ability was so great that the directors could not place it in one predictable and well-rounded character, but required a special artistic treatment, dimension, layering and approach to truth, originality, love and theatre.

"Infinitely talented, inspiring, witty, cheerful, full of love... Stevan was the first for me at all musical rehearsals, regardless of whether the music he was supposed to perform for that show was adapted to his voice range, tonalities, current psycho- physical condition, role in the play... He was always the first at singing, music rehearsals, recording in the studio... He gave... No, he gave everything that a person knows and can give," the composer tells "Vijesti" Faith Nikolic.

He is one of those actors who never missed a single premiere, followed every guest show, every festival, but also spoke openly about all the works. His honest and thoughtful criticism was worthy of a teacher's advice.

"He was a pure smile, spring, the glow of a pure soul, the one from whom you learn, the one who knows, the one who feels for his colleague, friend... A great human and actress! Stevan is the one to remember, the one who dances like an elf. His sumptuous talent made the scene teem with new life... Everything with him was calm, fluttering, like a colored spring with a song of smiles, and the tears with him were with a smile," the actress told "Vijesta" Branka Otašević.

Stevan Radusinović
photo: Duško Miljanić

The citizens of Podgorica could meet him regularly and during a walk in the city parks, alone or with his dogs, he left a striking impression.

"If I were to invite him to lunch or dinner to celebrate the successful premiere, to the question: "What are you eating, Stevan?" he would answer: "Nothing that has eyes and a mother". When he returned from his travels around the world, and his favorite, India, he would come back with handfuls of jewelry and the most fragrant spices to give to us, friends. If he 'disappeared' for a while, he would always report after a few days with the notification that he had again, again, and again..., saved and adopted an abandoned and wounded dog, cat, bird... Or that, with one with our friend, went to kidnap a dog that was being mistreated from its owner and, after informing the police, hand it over to a veterinarian or adopters. "He never complained about anything, so as not to upset his sacred art with something personal," memories of Vjeri Nikolić come as she introduces Stevan Radusinović to the readers of "Vijesti".

Stevan Radusinović was born in Podgorica. He was a student of the first generation of actors at the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Cetinje, in the class Bora Stjepanović.

"Ive is waiting for him up there (Ivana Mrvaljević), to go to the rehearsal together and wait for us to play again... Until then, shine my friend", said Otašević, reminding the actress who died early.

Stevan Radusinović
photo: Duško Miljanić

During his career, Radusinović performed striking roles on all theater stages in Montenegro, and in 2001 he became a permanent member of the Montenegrin National Theater (CNP) and remained so until 2019. The house announced yesterday that the actor will not be buried among his family and expressed their deepest condolences.

"He was an artist with an authentic acting habitus, one of the favorite partners on the stage, patient, innovative, convincing and strong. He was decorated with great dedication to every role and performance, wit, exceptional education and passion for theater and art," the CNP officially announced yesterday.

They reminded that in 2023, Radusinović enrolled at the FDU Cetinje for master's studies in the Department of Theater Direction in the class of prof. Radmile Vojvodic. In the author's project Boris Liješević "D(r)ugovi", which will open the 71st season of CNP, was hired as an assistant director.

Stevan Radusinović
photo: Duško Miljanić

The Podgorica City Theater expressed its gratitude for being a "friend and wonderful collaborator" of that theater for years.

"Our dear Stevan, comrade, colleague, friend of the theater. We will remember you for your love of theater, loyalty to colleagues, professionalism, as a man with the most wonderful sense of humor! We will tell future generations about you, your impeccable intelligence and your wonderful being", the Podgorica City Theater announced yesterday.

Minister of Culture and Media Tamara Vujovic she sent a telegram of condolence emphasizing that the Montenegrin theater scene, with the premature departure of actor Stevan Radusinović, lost a dramatic artist "of authentic acting expression, whose creative range was reflected in masterful interpretations, while at the same time occupying a prominent place in Montenegrin culture".

"As a long-time member of the national theater, Stevan left an indelible mark with a strong artistic stamp in theater productions, of which 'The False Emperor Šćepan Mali', 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', 'Don Juan', 'My Daughter', 'Crime and Punishment' stand out. , 'Cherry', as well as 'Deadly Sins'. "The Montenegrin cultural scene has lost a prominent artist and professional, who with his talent and dedicated work pushed the limits of interpretation and made a significant contribution to the development of the domestic theater", stated Vujović in a telegram.

Radusinović played an important role in the play "Waiting for Godot", which he staged at the CNP in 2019. Diego de Brea. Although he "accidentally" ended up in the division, the process and the work made him particularly happy, he revealed to "Vijesti" in an interview. In addition, he played in many other plays, in all Montenegrin theaters and collaborated with eminent directors. Among the last plays are: "Deceased" stay Savina, "Visit" Aleksandra Morfova and "I am what I am not" Vita Taufer. There are numerous roles on television and film, either in domestic or foreign productions... He played the masterful role of a manipulative father and husband in the Montenegrin drama "What will my husband do", which was presented in the form of a film and a series.

Stevan Radusinović
photo: Duško Miljanić

Stunned by the sad news, many colleagues remain silent, while there are a large number of those who cannot but say something about him, so social networks are full of emotional words... Many say goodbye to Radusinović, stressing his ability to both laugh and cry, to listen and tell, know and expand.

The minister pointed out that Radusinović will be remembered as a man of unique artistic handwriting, loved by colleagues and the public.

"The death of an artist at any age represents an immeasurable loss, and the departure of a young artist who still had a lot to say and give, to his closest ones, but also to Montenegrin culture, represents a tragedy for society," concludes the telegram sent by Vujović.

Nikolić reminds us that we are witnesses to the fact that life goes on regardless of who leaves...

"Without Stevan, we are left without a smile, lightness, self-giving, terrible seriousness, and endless joy when creating art... There remains a terrible void that needs to be filled by taking care of his pets that need to be adopted, his theatrical roles that hardly anyone will play , and a part of our hearts that we will miss until we meet again in eternity," said Nikolić.

Radulović: Stevan's trail, being, truth and kindness will be eternal

In an interview with "Vijesti", actor Aleksandar Radulović did not hide the anxiety and regret he feels...

"Stevan, you scared me again last night. I had some stupid dreams. I dreamed you died, brother. They say it's good, because it prolongs life. I don't believe in those stories, and maybe I should. I don't know anything anymore. Do you remember how you scared me when I could never find out from which side and at what moment you would go on stage... I chased you around the buffet and the corridors. He panicked in the wardrobes. The inspector is calling you... Stevan, Stevan... But you're never late! You were always there. You once told me: You see how you don't think about your fear now, I shifted your focus. And then you spread that smile of yours which at the same time means - am I right and don't be angry. Because you took care. You knew how to say that everything was going to be okay and to be delighted that someone cared so much. And you worried too... In a way that was not the first time, just as your solutions on the scene were not the first time and your whole life was not the way that many people would resort to. I dreamed that we came to my place in Komane again to write something, to talk about how we could. To ask each other about life and to lend a hand. I dreamed so much, my good brother... And then I realized that I wasn't sleeping and I wasn't dreaming. I'm already awake and shocked. Do you remember how you once told me that there is no need to mourn because we surely return in a different form and that our souls continue their journey in relation to how much and how they deserved. If we have more life, then I'm asking you to put your beautiful and pure soul back into your body and come back just like that and smile again and say you were joking... Won't you? Because it doesn't work that way? Well, Stevenson, surely you know better why this has to be this way. But now let me ask you, how can I play shows without you? How can we start a new play without you now, for which we were preparing together? Smile and tell me how! I'm just putting up with it and waiting for you to call, come back or... What have you got in store this time, Stevenson? Let me dream my dream, this one is not good and not funny bro.. Do you remember you told me the last time you cried in the theater was when you were there for the first time. As it took over you, the magic began. You knew it would last forever. But it lasted so short, brother, that this can't be anywhere near eternal. But there is something that will be eternal. Your trail. Your being and your truth on stage. Your goodness beyond her. You were such a friend. You really lived outside the comfort zone and daily petty interests. You weren't exactly a political puppet, you were sovereign in your views. You didn't point it out and sing an ode to yourself. Strong attitudes about everything that makes up life and clear decisions to which limits you want to go. And you went where you wanted whenever you could... The way you are, good, educated and emotional, you were accepted in every circle of people where these virtues of yours were laws", said Radulović.

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