Vjekoslav Majer – Krešo Golik – Rene Medvešek
ONE SONG A DAY TAKES MISCHIEF AWAY
Adapted and directed by Rene Medvešek
Inspired by Krešo Golik's screenplay for one of the most popular films in the history of Croatian cinema, based on Vjekoslav Majer's The Diary of Little Perica (1942), Rene Medvešek directed a theatrical potpourri reconstructing the dying spirit of Zagreb. The play follows the European theatrical practice of treating cult films as cultural treasures, in order to inspire new generations of viewers. The story takes place in the Zagreb Upper Town between the two world wars, where the Šafranek family lives comfortably, carrying out their white-collar jobs. Their day-to-day ordinary and peaceful life, diligently recorded by their son Little Perica, will be disrupted by the arrival of a charming bachelor, Mr. Fulir.
Ana Šafranek is withering away in a marriage to a man who doesn’t even notice that Mr. Fulir is courting his wife. Franjo Šafranek is a clerk who likes to drink, and is unsuccessfully attempting to prove to his wife that he is smarter and more capable than he is. He is hiding the fact that he's a coward who does not dare ask his boss for time off, and laments having abandoned his dream of becoming a pilot. He is constantly invoking "civil norms". Ana slowly abandons her ethical principles, giving in to Mr. Fulir's advances, but he will eventually be exposed and forced to marry the garrulous Aunt Mina.
Medvešek's musical staging of the story portrays the everyday life of the beloved and familiar characters who gather around the table as the central place of middle-class life, and is enriched by the broadcast from the wireless, located in the dining room. This technological wonder penetrates the walls and warms the atmosphere of Zagreb homes. In the words of Rudolf Habeduš Katedralis, the first chronicler of Radio Zagreb: we can only imagine what transpired when those intruders, maybe even conquerors – radio waves – pierced the sky above the Zagreb Upper Town. This organ without a player, like an invisible guest, is entertaining, informing, teaching, amusing, soothing, comforting, and sometimes deceiving and frightening its listeners.
A play worthy of Golik. — Večernji list
Rene Medvešek has staged a true treat of a play! — 24express
Medvešek has achieved the near impossible: Zagreb now has got its own play.
— T-portal
Fans of Golik's film will be overjoyed with this CNT production.
— Jutarnji list
Predstava dostojna Golika.— Večernji list
Rene Medvešek postavio je pravi bombon od predstave!— 24express
Medvešek has achieved the near impossible: Zagreb now has got its own play.— Tportal
Fans of Golik's film will be overjoyed with this CNT production.— Jutarnji list
