Kristian Novak's captivating novel, The Gypsy, But the Most Beautiful, presents a rich tapestry of characters intricately woven into a masterfully constructed fictional narrative that reveals numerous modern-day concerns. At the heart of the story is a young Roma man who falls in love with a divorced woman from a neighbouring village in Međimurje, in her late forties, who, after unfairly losing her job, returns to her childhood home to care for her wilful grandfather.
The play also introduces a variety of conscientious characters, each struggling, in their way, against the entrenched prejudices of today’s world. The adaptation, written by Ivor Martinić and directed by Ivica Buljan, honours the novel’s immense dramatic potential and Novak’s richly textured literary style, which combines elements of crime fiction, melodrama, documentary, social realism, and popular culture.
Nina Violić received the “Mila Dimitrijević” Award for her role as Milena, and Filip Vidović received the same award for his role as Sandi Ignac in the production Gypsy, But the Most Beautiful.
At the 28th Marulić Days Festival in 2018, both were awarded for the same roles, while at the 28th International Small Scenes Festival in Rijeka, Filip Vidović received the “Veljko Maričić” Award for Best Male Role. At the same festival, Ivor Martinić received the “Darko Gašparović” Award for Best Dramaturgy, and the jury of the media sponsor presented the “Mediteran” Award to Filip Vidović. In 2019, Nina Violić was named Theatre Actress of the Year for her role as Milena and received the “Zlatni Studio” Award.
The mere fact of bringing to life a gallery of different characters who bit by bit fight various prejudices makes this production a great artistic success.— Novi list
“Gypsy, but the Most Beautiful”: One of the boldest love stories of contemporary Croatian theatre.— Tportal.hr
Nina Violić is brilliant. The young Filip Vidović is just as good, despite this being his first time performing on the CNT's stage.— Večernji list
