#StageWithoutBorders: Twice As Much International Theatre in Sofia This June
In June, the #StageWithoutBorders initiative turns Sofia into the epicenter of international theatre, drawing attention to its diversity of artistic approaches and contemporary themes that inspire the creativity of leading names on the European and global stage.
#StageWithoutBorders is a joint initiative of the International Programme of Ivan Vazov National Theatre, which Bulgaria’s foremost stage has been deliberately developing since 2022, and the well-established platform World Theatre in Sofia by the VIA FEST Foundation, which in 2025 is taking place for the 19th consecutive time as a part of the Calendar of cultural events of Sofia Municipality for 2025.
To offer the audience twice as much high-quality international theatre, the two organizations are joining forces to present a program consisting of 9 performances from 8 countries and 3 film screenings. The events will take place across 6 different venues in Sofia: the National Theatre, the Nikolay Binev Youth Theatre, Sfumato Theatre Laboratory, the Sofia Puppet Theatre, the House of Cinema, and NATFA.
This form of partnership allows for a more complete presentation of the artistic world of two leading European directors: Declan Donnellan (United Kingdom), co-founder of the theatre company Cheek by Jowl together with designer Nick Ormerod, and Silviu Purcărete (Romania). The audience will be able to see two of their productions, created in different theatres and with different actors.
Two of the most famous ancient tragedies under Donnellan’s direction - Medea by Euripides, a production of the Ivan Vazov National Theatre, and Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, a production of the Marin Sorescu National Theatre, Craiova, Romania - will be presented together on the same evening. Viewers will have the opportunity to attend one of the performances or purchase a combined ticket for the director’s full “diptych.” The focus on Donnellan’s work will also be supplemented by a screening of the film Acting showcasing his work with a group of students on texts by William Shakespeare.
Internationally recognized Romanian director Silviu Purcărete will be presented to the Bulgarian audience with his productions The Ploughman and Death by Johannes von Tepl, from the Vasile Alecsandri National Theatre in Iași, Romania, and his latest premiere - the solo performance Jonah by Marin Sorescu, a co-production of the Radu Stanca National Theatre, Sibiu, Romania and Metropolitan Theatre – Tokyo, Japan.
Another standout highlight in the program includes three productions by Bulgarian directors, created in other countries of the region. The audience will have the opportunity to see Pillar of Salt, based on the latest play by contemporary Montenegrin playwright Aleksandar Radunović, directed by Javor Gardev at the Royal Theatre “Zetski Dom” in Cetinje, Montenegro; the production by Stilian Petrov When We Dead Awaken by Henrik Ibsen, from the National Theatre in Nova Gorica, Slovenia; as well as Don Juan by Molière, directed by Vasil Vasilev, staged at the National Theatre in Niš, Serbia. The regional focus, part of the “Theatre Bridges in Southeast Europe” project, is further enriched by the documentary performance 96% by Greek director Prodromos Tsinikoris.
The program of #StageWithoutBorders is also enriched by screenings of two productions from NT Live, which viewers can see at the House of Cinema, The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde and Dr. Strangelove, a stage adaptation based on the screenplay by Stanley Kubrick.
Enjoy the show!
PROGRAM OF #StageWithoutBorders
THE PLOUGHMAN AND DEATH (Vasile Alecsandri National Theatre - Iasi, Romania) *WTS2025
4 June| 19:00 | “Nikolay Binev” Youth Theatre
96% (National Theatre of Northern Greece – Thessaloniki, Greece; Schaubühne – Berlin, Germany; La Joven Theatre – Madrid, Spain) *WTS2025
5 June | 20:00 | Sofia Puppet Theatre
JONAH (Coproduction of Radu Stanca National Theatre - Sibiu, Romania and Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre) *NT International program
7 June | 16:00 & 21:00 | Ivan Vazov National Theatre
PILLAR OF SALT (The Royal Theatre “Zetski Dom” – Cetinje, Montenegro) *WTS2025
11 June | 18:00 ч. & 21:00 | Theatre Laboratory Sfumato
MEDEA (Ivan Vazov National Theatre in cooperation with Cheek by Jowl) *NT International program
12 June| 19:00 | Ivan Vazov National Theatre
OEDIPUS REX (Marin Sorescu National Theatre – Craiova, Romaniа in cooperation with Cheek by Jowl) *NT International program
12 June| 21:00 | Ivan Vazov National Theatre
ACTING | Screening (Cheek by Jowl, Amoeba Film & Lone Star Productions – United Kingdom)
13 June | 18:00 | NATFA Theatre
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST: screening (NT Live – the best of British theatre on a cinema screen | National Theatre London - UK) *WTS2025
16 June | 19:00 | Cinema House
DON JUAN (National Theatre – Niš, Serbia) *WTS2025
20 June | 19:00 | Ivan Vazov National Theatre
TR-EDITION: LIFE IS BUT A DREAM (Theatre ICONTACT – Republic of Korea) *NT International program
22 June | 19:00 | Ivan Vazov National Theatre
DR. STRANGELOVE: screening (NT Live – The best of British theatre on a cinema screen | National Theatre London – UK) *WTS2025
23 June | 19:00 | Cinema House
WHEN WE DEAD AWAKEN (Slovene National Theatre Nova Gorica) *WTS2025
24 June | 19:00 | Theatre Laboratory Sfumato