The Master and Margarita

The Master and Margarita is one of the most beautiful stories of the 20th century and one of the most significant novels of the world's literature. Bulgakov had been writing it for a long time, from 1928 until his death in 1940 – there is allegedly eight versions of the manuscript in the writer's archives – and it was published a quarter of a century afterwards. Its vividness, carnival character and bizarre quality long for the stage, but due to the complexity of the novel's structure and a great amount of material they resist it at the same time. Therefore the dramatization and the staging of this work are a test of skill and ability for every theatre and its crew, but at the same time, the abundance of playfulness The Master and Margarita offers calls for a theatrical event that one enjoys creating as well as watching.

''The Master and Margarita is, beside everything else, a novel about the lack of courage. Bulgakov's dream escapade and, at the same time, an escapist tirade subject to autobiographical elements, a satire in the style of Ilf and Petrov, but in the end, instead of love, the undestructible desire for creation or the mere force that ''constantly seeks evil, but does good instead'', talks about cowards and the consequences of what they have and haven't done.'' (Igor Ružić, Radio 101)

''Prohić's relatively low-key production, through which an exceptionally large number of characters passes, always in smaller scenes, never all at once, has described the world and the idea of Bulgakov's novel consistently and sufficiently dynamic enough to keep the audience's attention during the three-and-a-half-hour performance: the exposition is somewhat too long (there is room for shortening), whereas in the second part, such a level of interpretation and concentration is reached, which hasn't been seen in our theatre for a long time... On the whole, Gavella has begun the season in the best possible way: with a performance that may not be absolutely flawless, but which is characterized by seriousness, consistency and dedicated team work, all of which undoubtedly brings results. ''The Master and Margarita'' is definitely a must see.'' (Boris B. Horvat, ''Vijenac'')

''You won't find Bulgakov's ''The Master and Margarita'' in Zagreb's libraries these days, either it's been borrowed or it's on reservation. The reason for this is last night's première in Gavella Drama Theatre. Ozren Prohić directed the performance unburdend, looking from his generational and aesthetic angle. The same way as Sanja Ivić dramatized the novel for the new generation of actors and viewers... Mladen Vulić finally got a break, his Master is restrained, anxiuos, distraught, persuasive. Boris Svrtan wittily stood up for his Bezdomny with all his (acting) powers and Predrag Vušović, defying the stereotypes about him, gave a wise and composed performance of Yeshua.'' (Želimir Ciglar, ''Večernji List'')

''Among others we have to single out Janko Rakoš, who gave a wholehearted and vivid performance of George Bengalsky, the master of ceremony, Dražen Kuhn, who created an exquisite miniature of the Variety Theatre's stage manager, Stephan Bogdanovich Lihodeev and Siniša Ružić, who is amusing in his role of the cat Behemoth.'' (Tomislav Čadež, ''Jutarnji List'')