Theatre as Church Service: Brat Magarac (“Brother Donkey”)—A Drama about Saint Francis of Assisi by the Croatian Author and Director René Medvešek and its Staging at ZKM Zagreb

Andrea Meyer-Fraatz

doi:10.18290/rkult21121-9

Andrea Meyer-Fraatz Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4973-0146

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18290/rkult21121-9

Keywords: Saint Francis, theatre, liturgy, René Medvešek, “Brat Magarac”

Abstract

The paper deals with the drama Brat Magarac (“Brother Donkey”) by the Croatian playwright and director René Medvešek, and the author’s staging at the Theatre of the Young (ZKM) in Zagreb in 2001. The drama presents the life of Francis of Assisi. Numerous film productions on this subject offer evidence of the inherent theatricality of Saint Francis’ life. Medvešek’s staging corresponds to Saint Francis’ teachings since the scenery and costumes are very modest. In addition, by integrating musical elements the whole performance takes on liturgical qualities. This corresponds to the author’s idea of theatre in general, which, in his view is not confined only to presenting a show for the audience, but which, similarly to a church service, brings people together and enables them to experience a catharsis.

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