Beginning before the Begining

The paper discusses the significance of the amateur performances in Osijek from the mid-19th century until 1907, that is, the time of the foundation of the Croatian National Theatre in the city. On the basis of the material available it should be concluded that the twenty or some amateur performances of comedies put on in various premises in the city (Tvrđa, Upper and Lower City) and various stages (the Generalate, theatre buildings, hostelries) in their language (from mere hints of Croatian to total translations from Germany literary originals) awakened and encouraged the national awareness in Osijek. This fact is important since the amateur performances corresponded in time and in poetics with individual components of the formation of Osijek theatrical life, particularly with the guest appearance of the Nov Sad Serbian National Theatre and the Croatian Land Theatre in Zagreb, contributing to the enrichment of the cultural atmosphere during the foundation of the second professional theatre in Croatia