12th Shakespeare Festival - The Two Gentlemen of Verona

The Two Gentlemen of Verona

The Two Gentlemen of Verona is a play that brings to life the work of William Shakespeare through the collaboration of the Academy of Arts of the University of Banja Luka and the prestigious Russian Academy of Theatre Arts – GITIS from Moscow. The direction is signed by Ilija Zaitsev, a promising young director in his final year at GITIS. The premiere was held on April 15, 2025.

Cast

• Knight Proteus - Miodrag Jovanović
• Knight Valentine - Veljko Milijić
• Duke of Milan / Antonio - Nikola Stanković
• Knight Thurio - Miloš Drljača
• Savia - Tara Desnica
• Julia - Marija Polić
• Speed - Isidora Radulović
• Launce - Mila Stanojević
• Lucetta - Mateja Mitić
• Crab - Vojin Topalović
• Bandits - Mila Stanojević, Isidora Radulović, Mateja Mitić

The set design and costumes are led by Vladimirka Velaga with the mentorship of Prof. Dr. Dragana Purković Macan, while the stage movement is handled by Prof. Dr. Renata Agostini. Professor Biljana Đurović leads the stage speech.

About the Play

Director Ilija Zaitsev emphasizes that the play highlights youthful ambitions and desires that can transform people in unexpected ways. In this comedy, he finds reflections of Shakespeare’s tragedies, but also moments of light and beauty that are rare today.

About the Institutions

The Student Cultural Center of the University of Banja Luka is a key place for the cultural and artistic development of students. It was established with the aim of enriching student life and promoting artistic achievements through various cultural forms. The center provides a space for creative exchange between domestic and international students.

The Russian Academy of Theatre Arts – GITIS in Moscow, as the oldest independent art school in Russia, strives to educate future bearers of artistic forms worldwide. Founded in 1878, the academy encompasses a wide range of disciplines.