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Director: Lea Anastazija Fleger
Composer: Frano Đurović
Conductor: Mateo Narančić
Dramatization author and dramaturge: Nikolina Rafaj
Set and Costume design: Zdravka Ivandija Kirigin
Associate for stage movement: Matea Bilosnić
Lighting designer: Marko Mijatović
Production assistant: Ida Klemenčić
Costume design assistant: Tina Spahija
Headpiece designer: Ana Mikulić
Stage manager: Aida Machiedo
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Cactus King: Romano Nikolić
Beaver, Water Queen: Jelena Miholjević
Painter: Matija Gašpari
Hedgehog, Wizard: Vini Jurčić
Raven, Bear, Frog Choir: Igor Jurinić
Hedgehog, Lionfish, Mole, Frog Choir: Melody Martišković
Fox, Shrew, Frog Choir: Ružica Maurus
Musicians: Vanda Đanić, Đive Franetović Kušelj, Karmen Pervitić, Denis Ajduković, Stijepo Medo, Matija Novaković
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Sunčana Škrinjarić's The Enchanted Forest is a novel that marked an entire generation, and it continues to do so with through its topics which are always relevant. The novel was first published in 1985 under the title Painter in the Forest, and a year later the first Croatian feature-length cartoon was based on it and given its current title. It is still considered one of the most popular cartoons in the territory of the former Yugoslavia.
We are introduced to the wondrous forest expanse by a young painter who, fleeing from his own thoughts, encounters a completely different order than the one we are used to and who invites our imagination to freely travel together with him. The wide range of animal characters that the painter meets on his way are distinguished by traits that we can easily recognize as human, and through their backstories the very important and layered ecological domain of the novel itself is slowly unveiled – the ever-present idea of community, cooperation and care for the environment, as well as the weight of loneliness that is the main cause of the Cactus Emperor's ill will.
But what is so enchanted and enchanting about the forest? Talking animals, an ancient prophecy describing how man will overthrow the Cactus Emperor, or the one very wayward paintbrush? All of the above, but also so much more. The musical-theatre piece brings to the fore a thought that, perhaps now more than ever, we need to hear – nature is a place that unites, promotes diversity and brings us back in touch with ourselves, thus enabling us to be in harmony with everyone around us. That is why it is so important to remind ourselves that we are the ones who can preserve its enchantment.
Nikolina Rafaj
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Premiere held on August 12 2022 at the 73rd Dubrovnik Summer Festival.
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We would like to thank the Society of Friends of Dubrovnik Antiquity for their help in the realisation of the programme.
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Photo (c) Marko Ercegović
