The play, which premiered in 1968, has been played with the same cast since 1970.
The legendary play “Exercises in Style,” in which actors Pero Kvrgić and Lela Margitić interpret an incident in a tram in about twenty different ways, will mark its 50th anniversary of an uninterrupted run with a special performance at the Croatian National Theater (HNK) in Zagreb on 28 January, reports Večernji List on January 9, 2018.
“Exercises in Style” was originally performed in 1968 at the ITD Theatre in Zagreb. The play was directed by Tomislav Radić, based on the work by the French writer, poet and essayist Raymond Queneau, “Exercices de Style” from 1947, in which a story is presented in 99 different styles. Radić translated the book, together with Tonko Maroević.
Originally conceived as a student project, the play surpassed all expectations and became a hit immediately after the premiere, which was held on 19 January 1968 in the small hall of the ITD Theatre, with Mija Oremović and Pero Kvrgić in the two roles.
Oremović played in about 60 performances during the first two seasons. In 1970, her role was taken over by Lela Margitić. In the meantime, the show has become a phenomenon – it was adapted for television and radio, and became the world record holder as the longest-running play in the world with the same cast, which was confirmed in 2008 by the inclusion in the Guinness Book of Records.
During the 50 years of performances, the play has won numerous awards and has been presented in almost all towns throughout Croatia, and also in the neighbouring countries.
Since 2007, it has been produced by the Planet Art Theater.
Translated from Jutarnji List.
