Croatian Theater Critic Questions Emphasis on Actors' Basic Skills

A Croatian theater critic has raised concerns about the state of the acting profession, prompted by a statement from a renowned Macedonian director, Aleksandar Popovski. Popovski, working at the Croatian National Theatre (HNK) in Zagreb, reportedly praised the actors in the play "The Ideal Husband" by stating they "know how to speak." The critic finds this emphasis peculiar, comparing it to a hypothetical situation where a newspaper editor would laud journalists for their fundamental ability to read and write.

While acknowledging that Popovski might not be a native Croatian speaker and that the play itself might be excellent, the critic argues that such a statement from a respected director working in the country's premier theater highlights significant underlying problems in Croatian acting. The focus on basic vocalization, rather than artistic interpretation or performance skill, is seen as a symptom of a larger issue.

This commentary comes alongside the premiere of the musical 'Cabaret' at HNK, which the article presents as an example of the kind of well-executed content that can truly engage and 'develop' an audience. The implication is that while some aspects of the theater scene may be struggling with fundamental issues, high-caliber productions continue to emerge.

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