Theatre group Rače

Between Stage Lights and Applause: A Chronicle of Theatre in Rače

Theatre has deep and rich roots in Rače. The first stage lights at Rače Primary School were lit as early as the years between 1923 and 1941, when local enthusiasts began bringing the first dramatic worlds to life. After several quiet post-war years, the stage came alive once again and continued to thrive until 1960, when cultural activity subsided for a while.

Yet the theatrical spark never truly went out. Between 1970 and 1985, the group returned to the stage, albeit intermittently, until a new and more lasting vision emerged in 2008. That year, director Melita Lašič brought together a group of like-minded theatre enthusiasts united by an irresistible desire to create and perform on stage.

Their journey began in close collaboration with the theatre group of Rače Primary School. Together, they brought the timeless Brothers Grimm fairy tale Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to life. Its Christmas premiere that same year became a wonderful gift to the local audience. The production was performed numerous times and, most importantly, received a warm and heartfelt response from audiences.

Soon afterwards, in March 2009, the group spread its wings. Intensive preparations began for a production of Tone Partljič’s comedy Partnerska poroka. Its success was immediate and remarkable: actress Simona Napast received a regional Linhart Award for her memorable portrayal of the cleaner Marija, and in 2011, at the Days of Comedy festival in Pekre, she was also awarded the prestigious title of Comedian of the Year.

In 2011, several members of the theatre ensemble – Tina Kovačič, Alen Jelšek, Melita Lašič and Simona Napast – entered the world of film. Under the direction of Rudi Uran, they joined the cast of the feature film Nebeška vas and proudly walked the red carpets at its premieres in Celje and Maribor.

The 2012 theatre season brought Vinko Möderndorfer’s comedy Šah-mat to the stage. Darko Bedjanič shone in the role of Mr Kralj and received a Linhart Award for Best Actor for his performance. The following season, both the actors and audiences enjoyed Anton Žumbar’s successful comedy Moj Vinko, which, due to great public interest, remained in the repertoire until 2015.

The 2014/2015 season opened with another delightful comedy – Pacienti v čakalnici by Primorska playwright Andrej Jelačin. Following tradition, the group performed the production at the regional Linhart Meeting of Amateur Theatre Groups. Once again, the outstanding quality of the Rače ensemble was recognised when Borut Batagelj, portraying the painter Franci, received the award for Best Actor.

Then came the 2015/2016 season and, with it, the timeless Branislav Nušić. Through humour, the production Žalujoči ostali explored the perennial themes of wills and inheritance. Actress Simona Napast, in the role of Sarka, once again impressed the professional jury and received another Linhart Award.

The summer of 2016 brought a new cinematic challenge for several members of the ensemble – Borut Batagelj, Smiljan Fras, Melita Lašič, Simona Napast and Aleksander Sinadinović. They stepped in front of director Rudi Uran’s camera for the feature film Na odprtem.

During the 2016/2017 season, the group captivated audiences with Möderndorfer’s comedy Oblast, which was met with great enthusiasm and excellent reviews. At the regional Linhart Meeting, the production advanced to the next level of the competition and earned two Linhart Awards: Branko Leva received the award for the leading male role of Ante Pešalič, while Barbara Arcet was recognised for her supporting female role as Marjana Consulting.

The 2020 season opened with the premiere of the bold English comedy What the Butler Saw (Dan norosti), which immediately became a major success. Soon afterwards, however, the world came to a standstill under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following this prolonged and unavoidable break, the group revived What the Butler Saw in 2023, this time with a refreshed cast, which was further enriched by new faces in 2025.

Today, something new and mysterious is already taking shape behind the scenes. In 2025, intensive rehearsals began for Joseph Kesselring’s black comedy Arsenic and Old Lace. Another theatrical celebration is fast approaching: the preview performance will take place on 27 November 2026, followed by the official premiere on 28 November 2026.

The artists making history on stage today

Current cast

Nino Auer, Borut Batagelj, Veronika Batagelj, Denis Beras, Barbara Črnko, Smiljan Fras, Barbara Jazbinšek, Alen Jelšek, Barbara Jurički, Branko Leva, Irena Podgrajšek, Alenka Ramšak, Gregor Varl, Katja Virt, Klavdija Volf, Angela Vogrin Potočnik and Maggie Dokl Založnik.

Director and screenwriter: Melita Lašič
Prompters: Marjana Granda, Irena Podgrajšek
Language consultant: Marjana Granda
Technical production and music: Gregor Varl

You can also follow the group’s theatrical moments and behind-the-scenes activities on Facebook.

Those who have left an indelible mark

Former actors and members of the theatre group