38th 'Comedy Days' Theatrical Festival in Jagodina

The Marathon Family finishes first*

The trio of judges, Professor Vladan Jevtović, actress Mina Lazarević and actor Tomislav Trifunović, awarded three joint winners. One being Branimir Brstina who was the captain, the business man, the psychiatrist and the lawyer in Dušan Kovačević's "Generalna proba samoubistva" ("Suicide Dress Rehearsal"), performed by Zvezdara Teatar. Another first prize was presented to Janoš Tot, for his interpretation of two characters: the fisherman in Suicide Dress Rehearsal and the role of Aksentije Topalović in The Marathon Family. Yet another actor in The Marathon Family was awarded, namely Ivan Jevtović for his performance as Billy the Python


By ZORAN STOJKOVIĆ
from Jagodina, SERBIA


The Marathon Family musical brought Terazije Theatre ten awards at the recently closed Comedy Days Festival in Jagodina. Among those are two statuettes - one as Audience Award and the other as Jury Award. The Festival is traditionally held at the end of March (20-27th) and the audience has an opportunity to see the funniest plays chosen by Festival Selector. This year the Festival Selector was M.A. Ana Tasić, who specialised in Theatrology.

The trio of judges, Professor Vladan Jevtović, actress Mina Lazarević and actor Tomislav Trifunović, awarded three joint winners. One being Branimir Brstina who was the captain, the business man, the psychiatrist and the lawyer in Dušan Kovačević's "Generalna proba samoubistva" ("Suicide Dress Rehearsal"), performed by Zvezdara Teatar. Another first prize was presented to Janoš Tot, for his interpretation of two characters: the fisherman in Suicide Dress Rehearsal and the role of Aksentije Topalović in The Marathon Family. Yet another actor from The Marathon Family was awarded, namely Ivan Jevtović for his performance as Billy the Python. Best Supporting Actor was Marko Živić for playing Đenka in The Marathon Family. Ivan Bosiljčić was given Best Young Actor Award for his Mirko in the same play, whereas Best Young Actress Award was presented to Andrea Erdely, who acted in "Therapy", a play by Kosztolanyi Dezso Theatre.

- I find it a bit odd when an actor is given an award, because it is the team that is responsible for the quality of a performance. It's not just the actors, but the backstage people who contribute - if the troop is working as a team, it results in a good play. However, I will draw great encouragement from the award because it is an acknowledgement of my work thus far and it gives me the energy and self-confidence to persist. For a young actor, a prize is both joy and ordeal,' said Andrea Erdely for WAVE magazine.

Stage Event Design Award went to the set designer Marija Kalabić and her magnificent work in The Marathon Family. In addition, two other The Marathon Family team members won awards at the festival - the Costume Designer Lana Cvijanović and the Choreographer Mojca Horvat.

Amidst deafening applause, actor Vlastimir Đuza Stojiljković received "Zlatni ćuran" (Golden Turkey) Lifetime Achievement Award.

- I am deeply touched by the fact that the Festival which cherishes the precious genre of comedy for such a long time has recognised my modest contribution to it' - Vlastimir Đuza Stojiljković said, thanking the Festival Jury. He added it was the only true theatrical festival in Serbia and he complimented the organizers for managing to hold it year after year, despite difficulties.

- This is a kind of an Oscar, here in Serbia. I have tried to get my hands on the Turkey many times, but it somehow always managed to slip out. Once I received an award at this festival and I was overjoyed. But I have never dreamed of getting the Golden Turkey. When I heard the news, I was shocked. I wasn't sure whether to accept it because, you see, I don't like getting awards, but after all, it is rewarding and it is certain that there is not much more time left for me for great acting endeavours.

The Award Ceremony was traditionally held on World Theatre Day as in many theatres worldwide and the audience heard the International Theatre Institute World Theatre Day Message 2009. The Author of the Message was Augusto Boal, Brazilian director and and writer who stated that "Even if one is unaware of it, human relationships are structured in a theatrical way... We are theatre! Weddings and funerals are "spectacles", but so, also, are daily rituals so familiar that we are not conscious of this. Occasions of pomp and circumstance, but also the morning coffee, the exchanged good-mornings, timid love and storms of passion, a senate session or a diplomatic meeting - all is theatre.''


* The Marathon Family (Serbian film and play, called 'Maratonci trče počasni krug', lit. The Marathoners Run the Lap of Honour)


(Published: 10.04.2009.)