Republika Srpska
The National Theater of Republika Srpska represents the temple and foundation of the culture of the people, which has preserved its creative expression and national identity in this area, despite difficult historical events. Originally, the theater was established under the name of the National Theater of Vrbaska Banovina (based on the act of Ban Svetislav Tisa Milosavljević of September 2, 1930), and then in 1935 its name was changed to the Banovina National Theater named after King Peter I the Great Liberator. After the occupation and the proclamation of the Independent State of Croatia, the theater was given a new name - Croatian National Theater. After the victory over fascism and liberation, it became the National Theater in Banja Luka. From 1947 it operated under the name of the District National Theater, after which it changed its name again to the National Theater until 1953, when it was given the name National Theater of Bosnian Krajina. From 1994 to 1999, its name was Krajina National Theater, and then the National Theater of Republika Srpska. For 94 years now, the theater has been trying to be "a theater of one region, not one city".
The building of the theater was designed by engineer Joseph Goldner. The first major reconstruction was carried out in 1959, designed by Vladimir Dobrović, when the stage was technically improved and the auditorium and interior were remodeled. After the catastrophic earthquake in 1969, a second major reconstruction was carried out to the design of Wenceslaw Richter. Today, the Great Stage has only 318 seats, and in 2004 the Petar Kocic Stage was built with 77 seats. The permanent composition of the theater company consists of 30 professional dramatic artists.
For the last two decades, the repertoire of the National Theater of Republika Srpska has been based on plays based on domestic and world classics, as well as on works by contemporary foreign and domestic authors, and the first productions of plays based on works by contemporary authors. About 100 premiere performances have been realized, some of which were included in the programs of important festivals and received significant awards.
In 1998, the Festival of Professional Theatres "Teatr Fest" was organized for the first time, and since 2008 it has been a competitive event.
In 2022, the Symphony Orchestra was founded, which will serve as the basis for the Opera of the National Theater of the Republika Srpska.
At the XV International Festival "Alexandrinsky" will be presented the performance of the National Theatre of Republika Srpska "Miss" directed by Durda Tešić (September 1, 2, 2024. New stage named after Vs. Meyerhold Alexandrinsky Theater).
