Shakespeare’s „Richard III”, Directed by Vito Taufer Coming to the CNT in Zagreb on 13 NovemberDrama — 03. November 2026.
Filip Vidović in the title role in Shakespeare’s play about ambition, manipulation and an insatiable lust for power
The Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb will present the Zagreb premiere of Shakespeare’s Richard III, directed by Vito Taufer, on 13 November at 7.30 pm. A co-production of the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb, the Dubrovnik Summer Festival and the Croatian National Theatre in Varaždin, Richard III comes to Zagreb following its festival premiere in Dubrovnik. Filip Vidović takes the title role, supported by an extensive cast of actors who bring to life the story of one of Shakespeare’s most complex and intriguing characters in a theatrical interpretation that combines this classic play with contemporary energy, music and songs.
Taufer’s Interpretation of Shakespeare’s Classic
Director Vito Taufer brings his own interpretation to Shakespeare’s play, with music and songs composed by Mate Matišić. Music thus becomes an integral part of the production’s theatrical language, opening space for irony, commentary and an emotional interpretation of the events unfolding on stage. Alongside Filip Vidović, the cast includes Goran Grgić, Ana Begić Tahiri, Helena Minić, Igor Kovač, Dušan Bućan and many members of other theatre ensembles. Although Richard III is at the centre of the action, his rise and fall are shaped by his relationships with those around him – his family, allies and adversaries – in a world where loyalty can easily turn into betrayal and where the struggle for survival becomes part of the struggle for power.
A Play About Ambition and the Quest for Power
In Shakespeare’s Richard III, ambition knows no boundaries, and the path to the throne is paved with manipulation, lies and the elimination of anyone who stands in the way of power. Although set in the context of English history, the play transcends its historical setting and speaks about patterns of political power that remain recognisable to this day. The creation of a cult of personality, manipulation, fragile alliances and the willingness of individuals to put their interests before moral principles are just some of the forces driving Richard’s rise to power. Shakespeare does not merely deliver a story about a struggle for the throne; instead, he portrays a nuanced picture of a society in which the boundaries between ambition, loyalty and the abuse of power are easily erased.
Following the premiere on 13 November, performances are scheduled for 14, 17, 19 and 20 November 2026.
Filip Vidović u naslovnoj ulozi drame o ambiciji, manipulaciji i neutaživoj želji za vlašću
Hrvatsko narodno kazalište u Zagrebu 13. studenoga u 19:30 donosi zagrebačku premijeru Shakespeareova Richarda III. u režiji Vite Taufera. Predstava nastaje u koprodukciji Hrvatskoga narodnog kazališta u Zagrebu, Dubrovačkih ljetnih igara i Hrvatskoga narodnog kazališta u Varaždinu, a nakon festivalske premijere u Dubrovniku stiže i pred zagrebačku publiku. Naslovnu ulogu tumači Filip Vidović, uz velik glumački ansambl koji donosi priču o jednom od najsloženijih i najintrigantnijih Shakespeareovih likova, u kazališnom čitanju koje klasični tekst povezuje sa suvremenom energijom, glazbom i songovima.
Tauferovo čitanje Shakespeareova klasika
Redatelj Vito Taufer donosi vlastito čitanje Shakespeareove drame, dok glazbu i songove potpisuje Mate Matišić. Glazba tako postaje važan dio kazališnog izraza, otvarajući dodatni prostor za ironiju, komentar i emocionalnu interpretaciju događaja na sceni. Uz Filipa Vidovića, u predstavi nastupaju Goran Grgić, Ana Begić Tahiri, Helena Minić, Igor Kovač, Dušan Bućan i brojni drugi članovi ansambala. Iako je Richard u središtu zbivanja, njegov uspon i pad oblikuju se kroz odnose s ljudima koji ga okružuju – obitelj, saveznike i protivnike, u svijetu u kojem se odanost lako pretvara u izdaju, a borba za opstanak postaje dio borbe za moć.
Drama o ambiciji i osvajanju vlasti
U Shakespeareovu Richardu III. ambicija ne poznaje granice, a put do prijestolja popločan je manipulacijama, lažima i uklanjanjem svih koji se nađu na putu do moći. Premda je smještena u kontekst engleske povijesti, drama nadilazi svoje vrijeme i progovara o obrascima političke moći koji su prepoznatljivi i danas. Stvaranje kulta ličnosti, manipulacija, krhki savezi i spremnost pojedinaca da vlastiti interes stave ispred moralnih načela samo su neki od motiva koji prate Richardov uspon. Shakespeare pritom ne donosi samo priču o borbi za prijestolje, nego i slojevitu sliku društva u kojem se granice između ambicije, odanosti i zloupotrebe moći lako brišu.
Nakon zagrebačke premijere 13. studenoga, izvedbe su na rasporedu 14., 17., 19. i 20. studenoga 2026.
