A SPECTACULAR AND PROVOCATIVE "TARTUFFE" WITH PREMIERES ON 14 AND 20 DECEMBER
For the first time in the new history of the "Ivan Radoev" Drama and Puppet Theatre, Pleven, the iconic play „Tartuffe“ by Jean-Baptiste Poquelin Molière is being staged. With premiere dates on 14 and 20 December, the new title of the Pleven theatre will powerfully and spectacularly announce its presence on the national theatre map. Behind the large-scale project stands the tandem of director Kris Sharkov and set designer Nikola Toromanov-Ficho, already proven over the years, supported by the original music of composer Asen Avramov, the multimedia of Petko Tanchev and the translation and stage version of Dimitar Kabakov.
"Together with director Kris Sharkov, we worked on the text of "Tartuffe". I translated and wrote the entire text of "Tartuffe". I allowed myself this pleasure, this trial, and this responsibility. The rhythm has been preserved. We combined Molière’s play with the book and film "Theorem" by Pier Paolo Pasolini. In addition, we have added the parable of Jonah from the Old Testament. From there comes the incredible construction that Ficho created as the set on stage - the skeleton of a whale, inside which the whole action unfolds", shares Dimitar Kabakov.
Who is Tartuffe?
A swindler, the hypocrite-glutton familiar from the textbooks, born 350 years ago, or our contemporary? Is he our reflection, or the inevitable companion of man?
Kris Sharkov’s „Tartuffe“ is an unexpected and provocative directorial version of the play, because of which Molière was once forced to rewrite it three times in order for it to be allowed on stage. Under pressure from the offended clergy, Molière transforms the image of Tartuffe from a false cleric who robs the pious family of the credulous Orgon into a worldly serial swindler, magically punished at the finale by the hand of the King. These twists in the play’s genesis are probably also at the root of the thousands of interpretations of „Tartuffe“ to this day.
Part with the familiar clichés, they surprise no one!
Called „the darkest comedy“, in over three centuries of artistic life „Tartuffe“ has always been the object of hundreds of interpretations. From a comedy of manners, through political satire and shattering family drama, each era poses its big questions upon it.
Into Kris Sharkov’s directorial reading of „Tartuffe“, fragments from the Old Testament and Pier Paolo Pasolini’s „Theorem“ are woven. The performance begins with the story of Jonah from the Old Testament, who, fleeing the task of preaching, is swallowed by a whale and lives inside it for three days and three nights. And so Jonah/Tartuffe is cast out onto the shore and taken into Orgon’s home.
What follows?
A mysterious guest comes to live in the home of a well-off bourgeois family, and soon this turns the life of all the home’s inhabitants upside down. Whether through infatuation or denial - they are all obsessed with Tartuffe. But is Tartuffe a hypocrite, the familiar swindler, or a reflection of the demons of our society, which has replaced faith with illusions?
„Tartuffe“ is a text that seems to have gone beyond its author – shares director Kris Sharkov. This is not just a morality play, a farce about a swindler, but a story about a man who comes from nowhere and goes nowhere. We are not concerned with the Tartuffe we know, but with the Tartuffe we need, because he is our mirror. We will look not at Tartuffe the swindler, but at the people who are deceived. Does he change them, or do they change him?“
Tartuffe falls like a stone into the swamp of the suppressed desires of the Orgon family. This leads to an ocean of passions, doubts and unexpected cruelty. The only possible finale is the sacrifice!
This shattering version by Kris Sharkov is realised on stage through the spectacular visual environment of set designer Nikola Toromanov-Ficho, which, with its creative sweep, will surprise the Bulgarian audience.
„Tartuffe“ is the fifth theatrical project of the tandem Kris Sharkov and Nikola Toromanov-Ficho. In 2019 „The Wild Duck“ by H. Ibsen, National Theatre, received the IKAR award for set design and two nominations for best directing and for leading female role (Ani Papadopulu). In 2019 they were together again in the performance „Scenes from a Marriage“ by Ingmar Bergman, Small City Theatre - Sofia. In 2022 they created the performances „Lulu“ by Frank Wedekind – „Sofia“ Theatre, and „Pieces of a Woman“ by Kata Wéber – „Ivan Vazov“ National Theatre, with the ASKEER 2023 award for best supporting role for Maria Kavardzhikova and two nominations for best performance and best directing. In 2023 director Kris Sharkov’s performance „Unbearably Long Embraces“ by Ivan Vyrypaev, „Toplotsentrala“, Sofia, received two ASKEER 2023 nominations for best director and best supporting role (Martin Dimitrov).
„Tartuffe“ is director Kris Sharkov’s second performance on the stage of the "Ivan Radoev" Drama and Puppet Theatre. In 2014 he staged „An Enemy of the People“ by H. Ibsen. Having graduated in 2009 in theatre directing in the class of Prof. Krasimir Spasov, over the years Kris Sharkov has staged both on the independent scene and in the state theatres of Pleven, Plovdiv, Varna, Lovech and others. Today he is one of the most-nominated and awarded directors, established as a creator with an original and profound style.
In the role of Tartuffe - Antony Penev.
Cast:
Adrian Filipov - Orgon
Boryana Manoilova - guest - in the role of Elmire
Valentin Vasilev - Valère
Delyan Iliev - Cléante
Marian Dulchev - Damis
Nadya Derderyan - Dorine
Teona Dimova - Mariane
Poster – Nikolay Dimitrov.
Gergana Pirozova - dramaturg of the "Ivan Radoev" Theatre