 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Theatre of Serbia" – news ·newspapers ·books ·scholar ·JSTOR(May 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Thetheatre of Serbia (Serbian:Позориште у Србији,Pozorište u Srbiji) encompasses the history and practice oftheatre inSerbia, from its earliest forms to contemporary productions. It has a rich tradition, significantly contributing to Serbian culture and national identity, with roots in medieval religious plays and folk traditions, and modern development beginning in the 19th century.
The earliest forms of theatrical life on the territory of present-day Serbia can be traced to theMiddle Ages through church ceremonies, folk games, and rituals that contained dramatic elements. Later, in the 18th century, under the influence of theEnlightenment, the first school plays emerged inVojvodina (then part of theHabsburg monarchy), particularly inSremski Karlovci andNovi Sad.[1]
Serbian language theatre in the 1700s began with amateur school drama, with the firstTraedokomedija, performed in 1734 in Sremski Karlovci. Under the influence of theEnlightenment, this era saw the establishment of the foundation for secular theatre, moving beyond earlier dramatic elements in folk traditions and church ceremonies. Soon, Imperial decrees (Maria Theresa andJoseph II) allowed for the creation of the first private, commercial theatres in the empire. These initial developments, which primarily took place in Serbian communities within theHabsburg Monarchy, were pioneered by individuals educated inMoscow,Kiev,St. Petersburg,Vienna, and other European cities.Emanuel Kozačinski,Jovan Rajić,Marko Jelisejić,Arkadije Pejić, and others laid the groundwork for a theatre scene in the 19th century and thereafter.[citation needed]
Modern Serbian theatre began to form in the 19th century, in parallel with the national awakening and the creation of the modern Serbian state.
The first Serbian playwrights who laid the foundations for Serbian drama wereJovan Sterija Popović (Kir Janja,The Patriots) andKosta Trifković (The Chooser).
At the beginning of the 20th century,Branislav Nušić became the most popular Serbian comedy writer (A Suspicious Person,The Cabinet Minister's Wife,A Member of Parliament,The Bereaved Family,Dr.,The Deceased). During this period, influences of EuropeanModernism andtheatrical realism were felt in directing and acting. Besides Belgrade and Novi Sad, theatrical life also developed in other cities.
After World War II, within theSocialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY), numerous new theatres were established, and theatrical art saw significant development.
After the breakup of Yugoslavia, Serbian theatre continued to develop under new socio-political circumstances. New generations of playwrights, directors, and actors emerged. The independent theatre scene developed with numerous troupes and alternative spaces. Contemporary playwrights such asBiljana Srbljanović and Milena Marković gained international recognition. Existing festivals continued their work, and new ones promoting various theatrical forms were established.
Serbian playwriting covers a wide range of genres and themes, from comedies and tragedies inspired by folk life and history to contemporary dramas dealing with social and existential issues. In addition to the classics (Sterija,Nušić), significant contributions were made by writers such asAleksandar Popović (who introduced elements of absurdism and grotesque),Dušan Kovačević (known for his tragicomedies with fantastical elements),Ljubomir Simović (with his poetic dramas),Slobodan Selenić,Vida Ognjenović, andBiljana Srbljanović.
Serbian theatre directing has followed the development of European directing schools and approaches. From realistic productions at the beginning of the 20th century, through modernist experiments, to contemporary postdramatic and interdisciplinary approaches. Notable directors who have shaped Serbian theatre includeBojan Stupica (known for visually rich and imaginative productions), Mata Milošević (founder of modern acting pedagogy),Mira Trailović (founder of Atelje 212 and BITEF),Jovan Ćirilov (long-time artistic director of BITEF), Dejan Mijač (known for psychologically profound stagings of classics), Ljubomir "Muci" Draškić, Egon Savin, Nikita Milivojević, and Kokan Mladenović.
Serbian theatre has produced a large number of exceptionalactors who have marked different eras with their creations. From legends of the early 20th century such as Čiča Ilija Stanojević,Žanka Stokić, andDobrica Milutinović (after whom the prestigiousDobrica's Ring acting award is named), to the greats of the post-war period likeMira Stupica,Ljuba Tadić,Zoran Radmilović,Pavle Vujisić,Mija Aleksić, andDanilo "Bata" Stojković, and numerous prominent actors of middle and younger generations. Actor training takes place at theFaculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade, the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad, and other institutions.
In addition to the national theatres in Belgrade and Novi Sad, the Yugoslav Drama Theatre, and Atelje 212, other significant theatres in Serbia include:
Serbia hosts a large number of national and international theatre festivals. Besides BITEF and Sterijino pozorje, some of the most significant are: