The play Uhvati zeca tells the story of two friends, Lejla (Amra Kapidžić) and Sara (Vedrana Božinović), and their friendship, as they recall their childhood and shared moments. These memories are brought to life through the performances of the younger Lejla (Una Kostić) and younger Sara (Ana-Marija Tomić). Through their recollections, Lejla and Sara deliver a touching narrative about a relationship that shaped both of their lives, highlighting love, childhood innocence, fear, uncertainty, and personal loss.The audience responded enthusiastically to the actors’ performances, which, as actress Amra Kapidžić noted, was felt from the very first breath on stage.

“We felt the audience’s breath, and it seemed to me that we were breathing as one. They reacted so beautifully—measured, balanced, exactly in the moments where audiences usually respond,” said Amra Kapidžić, for whom this was the first appearance at the Actor’s Festival in Konjic. She added that there was great energy throughout the rehearsal and creation process, especially since the team was predominantly made up of women.

“Female energy is generally something positive and warm. We do have two men in the cast, but the majority were women—the writer, the director, the dramaturge, and four actresses. I honestly can’t remember an easier creative process. Not just in terms of that energy, but everything was very simple, quiet, without any raised voices, which can sometimes happen during rehearsals. I actually remember the whole process for its lightness and ease. Vedrana and I have known each other for a very long time—over 30 years of friendship—and I believe that had a big impact. It helped us bring those two characters closer together, like two real-life friends, with all the love, jealousy, and even occasional hatred, which is completely normal and a part of life. I think that made a huge difference. Even now, we’re getting feedback from audience members who know us personally, and they say that what happens on stage wouldn’t feel the same if the two of us didn’t have a real, genuine friendship off stage,” said Kapidžić.

Actress Vedrana Božinović, who also serves as the Artistic Director of the National Theatre Sarajevo, said that she had a strong desire to see the novel Uhvati zeca adapted for the stage.

“I really wanted this novel to have a stage adaptation. If not a film, then at least a play. And I immediately knew that Lajla Kaikčija had the sensitivity needed for this story. So that part came together very naturally. Lajla chose Amra and me to play the two friends, which I think is wonderful. But we did talk about how we might be a bit too old for these roles—though we’re roughly the same age as the characters, maybe I’m just a little older than Lejla and Sara are in the novel. Still, Lajla wanted it to be the two of us, and now I can’t imagine doing it with anyone other than Amra. I think the fact that we know each other so well really contributed to how well we work together,” said Božinović.

The program of the Actor’s Festival of Bosnia and Herzegovina continues on Monday, May 19, with a guest performance by the Banja Luka Student Theatre. They will present the play Idiot at 7:30 PM.

Source of the text and photos: Radio Konjic – https://radiokonjic.ba/festival-glumca-bih-odigrana-predstava-uhvati-zeca/