Theatre group San, a collective of around 20 members from various parts of Istria, presented its production titled 'Proba 37 – senza fine' at the Teatrino of the Community of Italians in Poreč. The premiere was held on 16 January this year, and the production emerged from a collective authorial process that included improvisations and a joint exploration of theatrical language.
Direction and scenography are by multimedia artist David Belas, who described the production as an ode to theatrical play and the creative act. The assistant director was Valter Roša, known for his multiple-award-winning monodrama 'Mistero Buffo', while artistic support was provided by Vesna Stilinović. Ivan Arnold was responsible for the music, and Ivan Pisak signed off on technical direction and lighting. Tom Ivanković, author of the text for the 'Butchery' scene, also participated in creating the production, while Suzana Rupenović performed the audio interpretation of the same scene.
The production is structured through seven scenes that move between realism, grotesque, absurd and cabaret. It is based on motifs by Daniil Kharms and Woody Allen and relies on various theatrical traditions, including Pirandellian play with the relationship between life and theatre, the Russian avant-garde and contemporary stage expression. The particularity of the production lies in the freedom of the acting, unpredictability and constant communication with the audience, who becomes an active participant in the theatrical process.
The acting ensemble brings together artists of different generations and theatrical poetics, and the current performances feature Tea Šimičić, Anna Bosykh, Katja Zec, Dario Filipović, Ivan Pisak, Valter Roša and David Belas. The actors are not merely performers but also co-authors of the production, participating through joint work, improvisations and the exploration of different theatrical expressions in shaping and upgrading the show. A significant contribution to the authorial concept was made by Šandor Slacki, a long-time protagonist of the Dr. Inat Theatre in Pula, known for his experience in physical and experimental theatre.
Following the premiere, the production attracted the attention of theatre critics. Theatre critic Bojana Ćustić Juraga described it as a smart, entertaining, witty and multi-layered theatrical play, particularly highlighting the acting energy of the ensemble, the diversity of theatrical styles and the originality of the authorial approach. Every new performance of 'Proba 37 – senza fine' is considered a new premiere, emphasising the constant mutability and freshness of the production.
Theatre group San was born out of a need for free, exploratory and collective theatrical creation. They realised their first production with their own funds, with logistical support from the Community of Italians in Poreč and USB Poreč, thereby confirming their engagement in the local theatre community.
