T H E A T R E......

The history of Terazije Theatre, the only musical theatre in region, starts in 1949. It has changed its name for several times during more than half of the century of its existence: established as Humorous Theatre it already changed its name and up to 1959 it was called Belgrade Comedy. Uniting with Belgrade Drama Theatre in the fall of 1959. it becomes Contemporary Theatre having plays performing on both Stage Crveni Krst and Stage Terazije.
However, with the new season 1975-76 it regains its independency and adopts the name “Terazije Theatre” that it carries today. Due to thorough reconstruction of its head building in Terazije, from 1991 until its return to the original building (2005.), the plays were staged at “Theatre T” at 77a, Boulevard of King Alexander.
Theatre on Terazije has been for more than five decades enriching its drama, orchestra, ballet and choir ensembles with new, young talented schooled artists. It has always given a dynamic note of artistic freshness that was appealing to the audience. At the beginning positioned as mostly popular and easy-comedy genre theatre, with each season it developed not only repertoire ambitiousness but it gained more praise from the cultural public as a theatrical institution of high potential and relevant artistic achievements. Some of many shows preformed on this stage are: “Man of La Mancha”,” Hello, Doly”, ”Oklahoma!”, “Fiddler on the roof”, “Grease”, “West side story”, “Some like it hot”, “A Chorus Line”, “Kiss me Kate”, “Chicago”, “ Cabaret”, modern ballet shows “La Capinera” and “The Earth” etc.

P E R F O R M A N C E ......

With the premier of the musical Grease, the Theatre at Terazije makes a connection with its recent history.  With the renewed showing of this play, a certain test is made of how much they have improved ensembles-wise as well as in the whole production.
According to its contents, Grease is a story about non-conformism, about the generational rebellion, about some sort of social diversion whose main weapon is that sugary water for ironing hair.  The birthplace of this story and the basis for inspiration is found in the experience and tradition of the ‘50s, the time of great hope and the reconstruction of America and the whole world and the faith in a better life which, it seemed, was well on its way.  Their story about a group of disobedient high school kids of different origin but same aspirations was told by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey in the early ‘70s, also during the time of a (new) great reconstruction of the world, during the time when that same world (again) looked like a good place for living.  America came back from Vietnam, some armistices were made, the planet took a breather.
Today, at the time of the redistribution of wealth in the world and the transfer of capital from one part of the planet to the other, it is (again) theatrically challenging to see what the attitude of the today’s digital generation—those that exchange video clips of weird content instead of jokes in the schoolyard—toward freedom is, and how they are fighting for it.  This Grease of our time is a peculiar alternative and answer to the difficult questions, and it is not burdened by anything else but youth.
What is also important in this version of Grease is its musical contents which has meanwhile become the classic rock value not only of rock and roll.  It is also interesting that in the newest Broadway production of this musical, sound has become more firm and its colour stronger.  And the most important thing: after a number of actors, which have meanwhile become true stars, have proven their skills at the Theatre at Terazije, a time has come to open the door to a new generation of young people who want to prove themselves and succeed.  A better piece for this than Grease doesn’t exist.
Željko JOVANOVIĆ

R E V I E W S......