The Threepenny Opera: playing with absurdity on the stage of NATFA 

Sofia, Bulgaria 

In the middle of October of 2024, the National Academy of Theatre and Film Arts (NATFA) in Sofia, Bulgaria, was the hearth of yet another creative, provocative performance included in Theatre in Palm project. Then, “The Threepenny Opera” by Bertolt Brecht triumphantly made its way to tens and hundreds of theatre enthusiasts thanks to the long, tireless work of NATFA professors, doctors, and students of the class of Prof. Dr. Ivaylo Hristov, as well as the Accademy’s management and the coordinators, OECON Group Bulgaria.

The rehearsals started at the end of the previous academic year in NATFA. First, they went around a table, then, they moved on to be carried out in the smaller academic scene of 47^th Auditorium. The songs and the dances were a constant subject during the academic hours with specialized pedagogues of vocals and acting plastics. With Prof. Hristov’s professional direction and academic supervision, there was no doubt that “The Threepenny Opera” would turn out to have high artistic value, and as such, be attractive and successful. 

For the public, it would be a new, refreshing theatre experience. For the students, it would be a great challenge and opportunity to work together and show off their performing skills in from of a larger audience. For the NATFA Management, it would become an interesting opportunity for promoting the performance outside Bulgaria and attracting additional finance that would greatly upgrade the scale the performance, cover the expenses for live music on the stage and secure more expressive costumes. The coordination between the Management and OECON, fulfilled by means of meetings and working sessions with the Director of the Academic Theatre Mr. Emil Topencharov and vice rector prof. Penko Gospodinov, established a productive interchange that greatly contributed to the performance’s success.

And that success turned out to be truly wholesome. At the premiere, the entire hall of 450 seats was full, with even more people standing to witness the spectacle. The audience’s excited applause lasted for a long time after the performance ended, proving its impressive impact. The expectations of the public and the professionals might have been high, but so was the assessment of the public, with the spectators’ feedback overflowing with joyful and empathetic remarks, words of gratitude and wishes to experience more great performances like this. 

And so, “The Threepenny Opera” turned out to be a valuable experience for everyone involved from the rehearsals to the last applause.  

Article by Viola Rodionova, based on report by Boriana Puncheva 
Photos from NAFTA