The production of Branislav Nušić’s The People’s Deputy, directed by Vito Taufer, received two awards at the recently concluded Vršac Theatre Autumn festival at the Sterija National Theatre in Vršac.
The Best Actor Award was unanimously presented to Dragan Mićanović for his role as Jevrem Prokić, with the jury’s statement: “Dragan Mićanović’s interpretation brings a modern and visually striking reading of Nušić’s classic. With an exceptional sense of restraint and partnership on stage, Mićanović blends comedic mechanics with subtle psychological nuances, demonstrating how a man changes under the pressure of ambition and his environment. His performance, which transcends his previous acting range, is characterized by supreme theatrical energy, precision, and a stage presence that enriches the long tradition of performing this iconic dramatic figure.”
The Special Award for Set Design was unanimously awarded to Lazar Bodroža for his work on The People’s Deputy, with the jury’s statement: “Lazar Bodroža builds the space using simple and precise means. In the Yugoslav Drama Theatre’s interpretation, the home of the Prokić family is a contemporary, elite bourgeois house, making Nušić’s characters our contemporaries. The division of space into a living room, a hallway, and a balcony—from which buildings under construction can be seen—connects Nušić’s era with the present day without a single word, giving Taufer’s comedy a clear framework and rhythm.”