| Tena Stivicic - Interview - Disclosure |
| Zagreb playwright Tena Stivicic is currently working on two projects: the play "Oluja" (the Tempest) for "Ulysses" theatre and drama "Invisible", which will be premiered in London, the city where she lives with her husband , Scottish actor Douglas Henshall. Which is your books is your favourite? – My first book of columns “Odbrojavanje” I am especially pleased with that because it contains some of my favourite pieces of writing. Also the drama "Fragile", which was published in England by Nick Hern Books. Sum up your early life. - Rave parties, sleeping in a trailer, camping, school benches, stretch-dress, strands, disposable tattoo, single status, instant-diets. What are you currently reading? - "Human Stain" by Philip Roth. What play have you seen the most times? - Probably the "Les Miserables" when I was little. I was totally won over by the play, especially Branko Blace who played the Inspector Javert role, while Barbara Rocco as Cosette was my idol. What kind of music do you like? At the moment it is classical. Many remember how you danced in the video, "Apocalypse" by Darko Rundek. Where do you dance now? – I don’t dance for an audience. I dance mostly at home, where nobody sees. How do you like to relax? – At a full table. Do you have a motto? - I don’t have one. But I attempt to deal with all forms of prejudice and condemnation. On what did you last to spend your money? - Dinner. What do you despise in people? - I do not like opportunism, taking on the weak and animals and narcissism. What did you want to be when you were a child? - A Ballerina. I gave up as soon as I realised I would have to starve myself. What do you like to cook? - Cooking is a creative act, and sometimes I just find it very relaxing. In our home I love to invite people to dinner. I do not have a specialty, but in our kitchen there are a mixed variety of international influences. In London it has become an everyday thing. What makes you mad? - Waiting in line at the phone, advertising, tabloids, corruption, youth crime, the terror of capitalism, canons of beauty, illogical laws, and helplessness. Do you have any hidden talents? - I think I am a very talented singer, but only my mum agrees with me. How do you fight a creative block? – I rarely have a creative block. I once read that Goran Bregovic said that inspiration is like toothpaste, squeeze it and it keeps going. This is mainly my experience. Are you jealous of anything? - I am not. What inspires you in London, the city where you have lived for the seven years? - I love London because of the sense of endless possibilities. What is the hardest part of being an emigrant? - The feeling of not belonging, being second is often a very annoying and uncomfortable feeling. Where else would you like to live? - In New York, Los Angeles and Istria. What do you miss most from your native Zagreb? - Nights in my neighbourhood near the mosque, orange lights and the sound of a tram, for me it’s a feeling of home more than anywhere else in the world. Is it true that London is "a city with too many writers? - London has ten million inhabitants. It is a city with too much of everything. At what stage are the screenplays for "The Two" and "Fragile"? – On ice. Have you ever collaborated with your husband, the Scottish actor Douglas Henshall? - He has only played in the BBC radio adaptation of my drama “Fragile". You recently got married, what do you think what is the secret of good quality relationships and marriage? - This is something that I am just beginning to explore. Why did you decide on a secret wedding in Las Vegas? – That’s a secret. What does your husband have? - He has many talents. What would you never forgive? - I don’t know. It’s a question of circumstances. How do you see yourself in twenty years? - Martin Amis says that mid-life crisis appears at a time when man loses the last trace of the illusion that he will not grow old. And I still have this illusion. Marijana Marinovic -Gloria magazine June 21st 2010 Translated from the original Croatian by this website. |
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| Tena Stivicic attends the Woman of the Year event in Zagreb on June 15th 2010. She is pictured here with Ana Gruden. |