LABOVIĆ-MARINKOVIĆ: IN THE JUBILEE SEASON - THE WIZARD OF OZ AND A MONOGRAPH

BANJA LUKA, SEPTEMBER 12 /SRNA/ - The Republika Srpska Children’s Theater is proudly celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, and the jubilee season will be marked by the premiere of the play The Wizard of Oz as well as the promotion of a monograph that best illustrates how powerful and significant this cultural institution is, Theater Director Ljiljana Labović-Marinković told SRNA.

Labović-Marinković said that The Wizard of Oz was already part of the repertoire in 2011, at the start of the theater's 56th season, but this year the audience will have the chance to see the play in a completely new production.

"The `Oz` from 14 years ago was a fantastic puppet show, directed by the renowned Bulgarian director Slavčo Malenov. This time, it is being staged as a musical, which in itself reflects our determination to kick off the grand jubilee year in a big way," Labović-Marinković said in an interview with SRNA.

Although it was written 125 years ago, Frank Baum's magical book, on which the play is based, still carries messages that are very relevant today, because every child at some point feels that they don’t belong, that something is missing, or that they are far from home.

"The loss of self-confidence and the search for what we lack to be happy are central themes. Just as the characters discover that they already possess the qualities they were seeking, our young audience should emotionally feel that they, too, already have everything they need to face their own challenges," Labović-Marinković said.

Labović-Marinković also said that the theater management has been diligently working for the past three years to collect material for the Monograph of the Republika Srpska Children's Theater 1955–2025, which will be officially presented on December 30.

"Exactly on that date in 1955, with its founding act, the city of Banja Luka laid the foundation for a house that has now grown to 70 floors! The authors of the Monograph are Zoran Đerić and Luka Kecman, and within the pages of that book, there will be answers to all questions - showing just how powerful, strong, and significant the Republika Srpska Children's Theater truly is," Labović-Marinković stated.

The Children's Theater is also looking forward to the 24th International Festival of Children's Theaters, which will take place from October 5 to 11 and will feature ensembles from as many as 13 countries.

She believes that the significance of this festival for society is immeasurable and that the event is a clear testament to the strength of the national children’s theater.

"By the end of the year, two more puppet premieres will take place – Moon's Guest by Branko Ćopić, directed by Nikola Zavišić, and Cinderella, directed by Sara Lustig. In the meantime, we will attend several more festivals, and the public will be informed about any awards in due course," Labović-Marinković said.