Serbian National Theatre begins rehearsals for ‘Veliki rat’

Rehearsals have begun at the Serbian National Theatre for the production ‘Veliki rat’ (The Great War), based on the NIN Award-winning novel by Aleksandar Gatalica. Directed by Marko Čelebić, the play is scheduled to premiere on December 18, 2026, at the Pera Dobrinović stage.

Rather than focusing on historical reconstructions of battles, the production aims to explore the human dimension of World War I. Director Marko Čelebić stated that the play is not a historical piece about retelling events, but rather a story about the common person and the meaninglessness of war, focusing on how individuals fought to maintain their dignity and lives during a period of global upheaval.

The creative team includes Aleksandar Gatalica (adaptation), Đorđe Kosić (dramaturg), Marija Kalabić (set design), Senka Ranosavljević (costume design), and Aleksandar Srebrić (composer).