ALL THE LONELY PEOPLE - REVIEW
On Monday, October 28, between 2 and 3 PM, time stood still at the “Deže Kostolanji” Theater.
.
Elementary and high school students had the opportunity to watch the play “All The Lonely People,” performed as part of the concluding event of the joint project of CEKOM from Zrenjanin and “Klara i Rosa” from Subotica titled “Together – Different.”
.
The play tells a deep and emotional story that deals with the theme of loneliness, exploring its causes and consequences.
.
At the center of the story is a young girl, Merima, who faces the loss of a loved one and becomes engulfed in an increasingly deep state of sadness and isolation. During a crucial night, Merima, with the help of “shadows” in the form of people from her surroundings, goes through a process of realization and acceptance of her emotional state, making the performance deeply introspective.
.
Loneliness intertwines through the stories of various characters, and as we later learn from the cast members, those stories are theirs.
.
Merima’s struggle is universal, especially among young people who often face similar feelings.
.
The play calls for an open dialogue about loneliness, loss, and the strength of community, with these themes being particularly relevant in contemporary society, where expressing emotions is often stigmatized.
.
“Svi ti usamljeni ljudi…
Odakle oni dolaze?
Svi ti usamljeni ljudi…
Gde oni pripadaju?”
.
The song “Eleanor Rigby” by The Beatles runs throughout the play as a powerful symbol of loneliness. Eleanor Rigby grupe The Beatles prožima se kroz celu predstavu kao snažan simbol usamljenosti.
.
It tells the story of Eleanor Rigby, a woman who lives a solitary life and dies without anyone to notice her, and “Father McKenzie,” who takes care of burials but faces his loneliness, too.
.
Although these characters were invented by Paul McCartney, their fate reflects the reality of many people who, while physically present in the world, often feel isolated. There is also the story of Hachiko, the loyal dog who waited for his owner at a train station for years after his death, becoming a symbol of unending loyalty and love, as well as the suffering that loss brings.
.
The creative team, led by Predrag Karanjac, succeeded in depicting loneliness from an emotional, mental, and social perspective through the personal stories of the actors. The play delicately illustrates how loss can affect young people, confronting them with themes of death, loss, and solitude. In this narrative, the actors bring their experiences and feelings, making the performance authentic and relatable to the audience. Predragom Karanjcem, uspeo je da kroz lične priče aktera prikaže usamljenost sa emocionalnog, mentalnog i socijalnog aspekta. Predstava delikatno oslikava kako gubitak može uticati na mlade, suočavajući ih s temama smrti, gubitka i samoće. U ovoj priči, glumci donose svoja iskustva i osećaje, čineći predstavu autentičnom i bliskom publici.
.
It is not shameful to be different, and it is important to reach out to those who are lonely and not to judge; this is a strong call for empathy and understanding, especially at a time when young people are easily distracted by external influences and expectations while simultaneously facing the challenges of growing up.
.
The courage of the young actors who dared to share their stories publicly is particularly appreciated, as they opened up in front of everyone and confronted their own emotions. After the performance, they expressed that this act, in a way, relieved them and allowed them to better accept and understand their feelings.
.
The stage movement and choreography by Neda Kovač added an extra dimension to the play, while the sound and lighting design by Boba Vidrić and Predrag Karanjac created an atmosphere of inner unrest that effortlessly transferred to the audience in the first minutes of the performance, allowing us to truly feel the emotion, even if some of us had not yet recognized it.
.
After the performance, CEKOM founder Smiljana Tucakov and co-founder of “Klara i Rosa,” Gordana Vukov Ciganjik, initiated an inspiring discussion between the actors and the audience, during which the cast members shared their insights and individual experiences that inspired the stories on stage.
This interactive part allowed for a deeper connection between the performers and the spectators, and the audience—ranging from the youngest to the older ones—actively participated in sharing impressions and asking questions.
.
I would highlight one girl who apologized to the cast, claiming that the Subotica audience “is not the best,” but, on the contrary, we can say that we are proud of “our kids” because they attentively and respectfully followed the event, proving that regardless of the world we leave them, they have the power and capacity to create a better place out of it.
.
CEKOM, or the Center for Creative Growth of Youth from Zrenjanin, has been active for over 20 years, not only as an organization that gathers young people but also as one that actively addresses the problems and dilemmas they face.
.
A special round of applause goes to them for selflessly giving their time to teach young people everything they, unfortunately, can rarely learn in school.
.
In conclusion, “All Those Lonely People” not only opens the door to conversations about important topics but also reminds us of the power of community and the importance of discussing the problems of young people.
.
Organizations like CEKOM and “Klara i Rosa” are here to inspire and initiate dialogue, fighting for the idea of a better society and an empathetic individual who wants to grow and develop, believing that art is “for everyone,” not reserved just for professionals, and represents a powerful tool for connection, expression, and learning.
.
By opening spaces for freedom and experimentation and democratizing art, we enrich people's lives, empower ourselves, and connect. Quality and deep relationships among people are what make the present moment meaningful, and it is the responsibility of adults to pass on those values and skills to younger generations.
.
Author of the review: Anamarija Tumbas