Current use Musical productions Opened 1949 Owner City of Belgrade | Architect Georgije Samoylov Phone +381 11 3229943 Rebuilt 2005 | |
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Address Terazije 29, Beograd, Serbia Similar Yugoslav Drama Theatre, National Theatre in Belgrade, Atelje 212, Belgrade Drama Theatre, Madlenianum Opera and Theatre Profiles | ||
Theatre on Terazije (Serbian: Позориште на Теразијама / Pozorište na Terazijama) is a Broadway-style theatre in the Terazije area of Belgrade, Serbia. It is the only theatre in Serbia which exclusively produces musicals and has produced the Serbian versions of Chicago, Kiss Me, Kate, and many more. Due to its reconstruction, which started in 2003 and ended in 2005, it is also one of the most up-to-date and technologically advanced theatres in Serbia.
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History
The Theatre on Terazije was opened in 1949, with an actors' ensemble as well as ballet, choir and orchestral ensembles. The building of the Terazije theatre in the same named area in Belgrade’s city centre was created by Georgije Samoylov, a Russian immigrant who completed his studies at the University of Belgrade's Faculty of Architecture.
In 1990 Serbia, then known as Yugoslavia became a world pariah due to the dictatorship of Slobodan Milošević. At the end of 1991-92 season, The theatre was closed in order to undergo long overdue reconstruction. The ensemble had temporarily relocated to the cultural institution "Vuk Karadžić", with expectations that they would return to the reconstructed building within two seasons. However, due to the ethnic conflicts in the former Yugoslavia during the 1990s, the theatre lost most of its funding and produced small musicals in difficult conditions. In 2000, when a political change occurred in Serbia and it was once again accepted into world organisations, the project of reconstructing old, out of date theatres in Belgrade began. In 2003 it was the theatre on the Terazije that finally came under reconstruction.
Reconstruction
On 28 September 2003 the reconstruction of the Terazije began. The theatre was in a very bad shape having its underneath levels flooded and its performance hall in a nearly derelict state. The company Partnet Engineering devised the new look which cost the city authorities nearly 740 million Serbian dinars. The reconstruction included investment into new technology and a performance hall which would be comparable to Broadway theatres. The new theatre was opened on the 6th of July, 2005 with a complete new look. The luxurious new theatre became extremely appealing to Belgraders. Finally the city had an all-exclusive musical theatre it lacked for 13 years.
Popularity boom
After the opening of the reconstructed theatre a new generation of actors became involved at the Theatre on Terazije. Singers/actors such as Ivana Knežević, Ivan Bosiljčić, Jelena Jovičić, Slobodan Stefanović, Miroljub Turajlija, Milan Antonić, Sloboda Mićalović and many others bought a resurgence in popularity to musicals in Serbia. The high quality of technical resources has also increased the theatre’s popularity with most musicals receiving rave reviews from critics for acting, singing and stage. The theatre on Terazije has brought many adaptations from Broadway to Serbia. Currently the theatre is constantly booked out and those wanting to see a play must book their tickets well in advance to see a play. The theatre has its own orchestra and choir.
One of the theaters most successful actors, Milenko Zablaćanski died in 2008 in a car crash, Terazije Theatre pull down all performances where Milenko was playing, and in his honor, named small scene, Cabaret scene "Milenko Zablaćanski".
Productions
Partial repertoire of the theatre with former and active musicals and plays (the flags on the side indicate from which countries the musicals were originally created):