An emotional ode to a time and period when everyone carefreely believes in dreams, love, the possibility of growth, an ode to a time that can distance us from the inner child in all of us, but also a gentle reminder of how important it is to preserve that part of ourselves, returning us to ourselves, to joy and honesty..., all of that is the work of "The Year of the Donkey", as the novel Branko Ćopić, as well as the theatrical adaptation directed by Andrija Rašović.
Premiered on Friday evening at the Cultural and Information Center (KIC) "Budo Tomović" in Podgorica, and reprised over the weekend, the new play by the Podgorica City Theater warmed up all present visitors of various ages, although it is primarily intended for those aged 13 and over.
"A trip to the moon, as the ultimate goal and starting point - which they don't tell us about in schools. A trip to the moon, as a marked path towards all those dreams, poetic and above all boyish, that we easily forget," reads the Gradski press release, and that is exactly what this production is, a trip to youth, joy, sincerity...
Accidents and incidents, mischief, anecdotes, daydreams, sympathies, rebellions, alarms, stage fright, regrets, butterflies, sunflowers, songs, missing, questioning, about oneself, life, others, the system, colored the play with those very nuances of the "donkey years", sending some important messages. With all these notes, the play beckons a smile from the soul, opens a portal to one's own, but also to Branko Ćopić's childhood, bringing a warm and nostalgic story about growing up, puberty and everything that is an inseparable part of maturing.
Upon entering the large hall of the KIC "Budo Tomović", you will be greeted by a lovely, inspiring and more than symbolic scenography. Smiljke Separovic, which is special, beautiful and strong in its simplicity. Sunflowers in the background, all the time on stage, with the moon and the ladder, are a metaphor for growth and attempts to reach "unattainable heights", but also the energy and strength of youth. This visual aspect subtly follows the lyrical tone of Ćopić's storytelling, while simultaneously emphasizing the process of maturation and the innocence of childhood, which was well accompanied by the brilliant actors, contributing to its liveliness, wit, fragility...
The play does not have a classic dramatic line or complex plot, but relies on a series of episodes and emotions that depict the universal, yet completely unique and authentic experiences of puberty. Adaptation and dramaturgy, signed by Vuk Draganic, and Rašović's direction, are subtle and unpretentious in the dramatic context, but grand and important in the human context, motivating and raising awareness in the social... It easily reveals the layered issues and numerous confrontations during an individual's growing up, acceptance and rebellion, in the community, society, and oneself.
The complete acting ensemble consists of: Luka Stankovic, Bozidar Zuber, Dejan Djonovic, Marija Djuric, Zoran Dragicevic, Zeljko Radunovic i Nevena Penava, It seemed united in what "The Years of the Donkey" are, in what Ćopić was and always will be for children and young people of all ages, both then and now and always. The music by director Rašović, as well as the costume design, contributed significantly to this. Mie Djurovic which awakened the spirit of the times, equality, equal community and individualism.
Experienced actors Radunović and Đonović carried the story with their charisma and gave it immediacy, beauty and acting power, Zuber and Đurić in their recognizable style improved their and Ćopić's heroes, while the young actors brought the necessary freshness and enthusiasm, credibility and sensitivity to this work. Although individuals in the ensemble were prone to exaggeration or caricature, all together they shaped different characters and brought their struggles closer together. What is particularly striking is their joint ability to send messages of love, but also resistance to injustice, and the necessary support of the elderly, with the attention of decision-makers - those topics that are extremely current and important even today.
Despite the fact that it is a special challenge to transfer Ćopić's conciseness, the liveliness of the characters, humor, storytelling style and the numerous layers that all of his manuscripts possess to the theater stage, Rašović and his team managed to create a gentle, poetic piece that, without pretensions, returns the audience to the carefreeness and beauty of the "donkey years", while distinctly awakening rebelliousness and sensitivity to injustice, restoring faith in togetherness, in love, and poetry, all while stunning those present with the enthusiasm of a child and youthful sincerity.
There is no doubt that with each subsequent performance, the performance will become lighter, more natural, more lively, that it will arouse the attention and interest of all generations, but also that, if we allow it, it will awaken the child or teenager within us, reminding us of the values and aspirations that we often forget under the burden of everyday life.
Bonus video:
