19.11.2025

By: Shemsi Doda

City Theater “Hadi Shehu” Gjakova

Text: Jack Thorne

Director: Zana Hoxha

Tonight, in the theatre of Gjilan, “Woyzeck” was played, a powerful and challenging psychological drama, that through the figure of a broken soldier, immerse us in the harsh reality of divided Germany during the Cold War. The version of Jack Throne, set in these turbulent of socio-economic circumstances, comes in a bold performance by the troupe of the City Theater “Hadi Shehu”, directed by Zana Hoxha.

Director

Zana Hoxha builds the play in a very admirable psychological clarity. With an almost surgical precision, she unfolds the moral and physical breakdown of Woyzeck, reinforcing the fact how financial pressure, lack of well-being, and systematic abuse can descend the person into darkness. The director achieves to create a gloomy atmosphere, but in reality, where jealousy, betrayal and fear are not the only dramaturgical elements, but more of a reflections of a social reality.

Actors

The troupe consist of: Bujar Ahmeti, Vlora Dervishi, Edi Kastrati, Aurita Agushi, Arbies Komoni, Altina Kusari dhe Eden Kastrati.

In the beginning, the pace of the play seemed slow, with a narrative that almost lost the necessary emotionality. But as the minutes pass by, the dynamic increased significantly and the play gained its depth. The acting intensity was gradually increased, creating an organic growth that had the audience connected to the character’s tragic development. The actors managed to deliver the drama to a believable emotional climax moments of modern and aesthetically refined realization.

Scenography

A simple scenography in tools but not in function. With different levels and intelligently placed elements, she created multiple spatial illusions — from Woyzeck’s penniless apartment, to the shop, the famous Berlin Wall, to the military point. It was a structure that did not compete for attention, but offered it naturally, reinforcing the play and atmosphere.

Costumes

The costumes served as a means of typification, precise, functional and in full dialogue with time and character. They did not stand out as décor, but as an organic addition to the characters’ identities.

Lights

A carefully curated job. The lighting guided the audience through the inner world of the characters, highlighting moments of tension and creating beautiful dramatic contrasts. In some sequences, the lights were almost co-authors of the stage sensation.

Music

Music was one of the show’s most striking components. Original, enduring and moderately established, she functioned as a silent narrator. Not only did it help the narrative, but at times it complemented it by giving it rhythm and emotional clarity.

Public reaction

The long applause at the end clearly showed that the show was well received. The audience was involved, reacted and experienced the drama with intensity.

Conclusion

“Woyzeck” of the Gjakova Theater is a work that gradually grows, carries weight with the passing of the minutes and manages to touch the nerves of modern drama. The careful direction, the consolidated play of the actors and the harmonized technical components make this production one of the most interesting approaches towards Throne’s drama in our theatre.

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