The Elementary Particles is the award winning novel by the controversial French writer and poet Michel Houellebecq, published in 1998, and staged many times in several European countries including Germany, France, Spain, and eventually Croatia. Written in a crude and brutal language, and matchless in the touching of painful spots and revealing the very human essence, the novel is considered a special sort of essay about the end of history and the complete decadence of modern society. Passive and deprived of emotions, the protagonists Michel (Stipe Kostanić) and his half-brother, erotoman Bruno (Marko Mandić) symbolise the two extreme polarities of modern man and Western civilisation.
By moving the play from Kupari, the initially announced venue, the play's concept was changed and adapted to the new location. Staged at Fort Lovrjenac, the „Particles“ are thus a play swinging between performance and cabaret, which is not suitable for viewers under 16 years of age.
Ivica Buljan is a renowned Croatian and European theatre director, currently serving as Theatre Programme Director at the Croatian National Theatre of Zagreb. He has directed in major European countries including Slovenia, Lithuania, France, Hungary, Portugal, Belgium, Russia, Montenegro, Ivory Coast, Italy and Serbia, and his plays have been shown at renowned international festivals. This is his first collaboration with the Dubrovnik Summer Festival.
Buljan staged the „Particles“ based on the adaptation by Velimir Grgić, alongside Dramaturge Robert Waltl, Set Designer Aleksandar Denić, Costume Designer Ana Savić Gecan and Lighting Designer Elvis Butković, while Mitja Vrhovnik Smrekar was in charge of music. Paolo Tišljarić served as Assistant Director and Anamarija Filipović Srhoj as Assistant Costume Designer. The Festival Drama Ensemble includes: Marko Mandić, Senka Bulić, Stipe Kostanić, Hana Selimović, Lucija Šerbedžija, Zoran Prodanović Prlja, Jelena Miholjević, Marko Cindrić, Miki Solus, Mada Peršić, Paško Vukasović and Karlo Mrkša.
The premiere of the play The Elementary Particles at the 66th Dubrovnik Summer Festival is a part of the Rendez-vous Festival of France in Croatia.
