The importance of this text doesn’t need to be emphasised, as the director of this play Boris Liješević says: “…because Faust is a part of life’s journey when everything we have built, everything we have dedicated our lives to, seems misguided and meaningless, and we are ready to throw it all away for a moment of solace. Faust is the final battle where neither intelligence nor education helps. The smartest person is left without any arguments they armed themselves with throughout their life, without knowledge, wisdom, or composure. So, where is the help? How do you fight? ‘Faust’ is the most challenging of all temptations – the temptation of meaninglessness. This is a play about longing for life.”

Boris Liješević is known as a renowned director of the younger generation in our region. He studied and lives and works in Novi Sad, where he teaches acting at the Academy of Dramatic Arts. He has successfully directed plays in the Zagreb Youth Theatre, the Satirical Theatre Kerempuh, and the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb.

The main roles are played by acclaimed actors Ozren Grabarić and Svetozar Cvetković.

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“Lead Us Not into Temptation”

Faust is a part of life’s journey when everything we have built, everything we have dedicated our lives to, seems misguided and meaningless, and we are ready to throw it all away for a moment of solace. The only way out is temptation. When a person rushes into temptation, it is not to prove their loyalty and steadfastness but to find relief in their fall. To take revenge on oneself and one’s failed life and at least feel the real life in pain… To punish the years that have passed because one wants to go back to life, to youth, to passion, uninhibitedness, embrace. In those moments, the whole universe listens and watches us. Both the silent and waiting God, and the devil who can fulfil all desires and bring back time and youth and beauty, vitality, a woman… He only asks for your hand and acceptance of temptation, and then you have everything. Everything except freedom. The devil gives the illusion of freedom and keeps you in his power. When you realize that you are under his power, it no longer matters because you are no longer who you were. Faust is the final battle where neither intelligence nor education helps. The smartest person is left without any arguments they armed themselves with throughout their life, without knowledge, wisdom, or composure. So, where is the help? How do you fight? ‘Faust’ is the most challenging of all temptations – the temptation of meaninglessness. This is a play about longing for life.

Boris Liješević

Foto: Dragana Udovicic