Magical Theatre Company

Magični teatar (English: Magic Theatre) is an independent theatre collective based in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Established in 2014, the group is known for its experimental and socially engaged performances, often incorporating elements of puppetry and immersive theatre.^[1]

Magični teatar was established in 2014 in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a continuation of an earlier experimental theatre project called Prljavo pozorište (Dirty Theatre), which was active in the town of Fojnica.^[2] The founding members—comprising actors, directors, puppeteers, and educators—shared a vision of developing a theatrical collective that would prioritize creativity, experimentation, and community engagement. From its inception, Magični teatar sought to function outside the institutional theatre framework, embracing independent production models and alternative performance spaces.^[3]

Between 2014 and 2018, the group focused primarily on devising original performances and conducting workshops across Bosnia and Herzegovina. These early works often explored socio-political themes and included a blend of physical theatre, clowning, and satire. The performances were held in unconventional venues—ranging from basements to rooftops—emphasizing the group's grassroots and participatory ethos.

In 2018, the collective launched the "Laboratorija magije" ("Laboratory of Magic") as a year-round program of theatrical research. This initiative formalized their ongoing methodology of deconstructing theatre into its core elements—gesture, rhythm, voice, text, and object—and exploring them through guided practice.^[4] The lab sessions are open to the public and are designed as a space for both experienced artists and newcomers to experiment, learn, and create collaboratively.

In 2023, Magični teatar began incorporating puppetry into its regular practice.^[5] This shift marked a significant evolution in their performance language, allowing the group to explore metaphor, symbolism, and non-verbal expression in new ways. Their first major puppet-based performance, Šta su skrivili Ivica i Marica? ("What Did Hansel and Gretel Do Wrong?"), was presented at the Abrašević Youth Cultural Centre in Mostar. The play used grotesque puppets and a distorted fairy-tale structure to critique conformity and dogma in post-war Bosnian society.^[6][7]

Over the years, the collective has toured extensively across Bosnia and Herzegovina, often relying on volunteer networks, crowdfunding, and cultural partnerships for support. In addition to performances, Magični teatar has hosted residencies, open rehearsals, and educational programs aimed at cultivating critical thinking, empathy, and imaginative expression among younger audiences.^[8]

The collective operates as a "laboratory of magic," deconstructing theatre into its fundamental components and exploring each through weekly workshops, exercises, and guided sessions. This methodical approach allows for continuous experimentation and innovation in their performances. ^[9]

Magični teatar has produced several notable performances, including:

• Šta su skrivili Ivica i Marica? (What Did Hansel and Gretel Do Wrong?, 2023) – A reinterpretation of the classic fairy tale, exploring local mentalities and societal issues through grotesque puppetry, physical theatre, and absurdist dramaturgy. The performance was developed as part of a regional independent theatre initiative and premiered at OKC Abrašević in Mostar.^[10][11]

• Prsten u oko (Ring in the Eye, 2022) – A physical and grotesque performance about love and obsession, presented during a mini-tour across Bosnia and Herzegovina. The piece featured non-verbal sequences, clowning, and poetic movement, challenging traditional depictions of romance.^[12]

• Nosferatu (2021) – A darkly poetic homage to the silent film classic, reimagined through shadow theatre and live sound design. Performed in unconventional venues, including abandoned buildings and outdoor urban spaces, the production explored themes of fear, contagion, and isolation in the context of the post-pandemic world.^[13]

• Priča o Magičnom teatru i Beskrajnim plodnostima (The Story of Magic Theatre and Endless Fertilities, 2020) – A philosophical and experimental narrative following a group of dreamers in search of a utopia of eternal play. Through surreal imagery and fragmented storytelling, the piece delves into the conflict between creativity and entropy, joy and futility.^[14]

• Mi smo se pojavili, a nigdje nas nema (We Appeared, and Yet We Are Nowhere, 2020) – A work created for the WARM Festival in Sarajevo, addressing the invisibility of marginalized communities and post-conflict amnesia. It incorporated audience interaction and site-specific performance to explore absence and memory.^[15]

• Nevidljivi grad (The Invisible City, 2021) – Inspired by Italo Calvino's novel, this performance unfolded as a walking theatre piece across Sarajevo's historic neighborhoods. The audience moved alongside the actors, transforming urban locations into performative spaces that questioned the boundaries between the seen and unseen, the real and imagined.^[16]

Many of Magični teatar’s performances are site-responsive, multilingual, and non-verbal, enabling accessibility across linguistic and cultural boundaries. The ensemble frequently performs at independent and regional festivals, and has gained international recognition for its physical expressivity and socially engaged theatre practices.^[17]

Magični teatar is not confined to a single location. Their base venues include the DKC Sarajevo/Dom pisaca, the small stage of the Sarajevo Youth Theatre, and a property on Malkoč hill near Fojnica. They have also performed in various other indoor and outdoor locations, as well as online platforms. ^[18]

• Magical Theatre Company production, 2023.
• Puppetry, 2023.
• Nosferatu, 2021.
• Shadow theatre, 2024.

• Official website