Javor Gardev's Play "The Bacchae" Takes Stage before Some 10,000 Spectators in Epidaurus

Momchil Rusev, BTA correspondent Ivan Lazarov

The Bacchae on stage at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus in Greece, July 11, 2026 (BTA Photo)

Epidaurus, Greece,

12.07.2026 13:41

(BTA)

The second premiere of the play The Bacchae took place on Saturday before an audience of around 10,000 spectators at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus in Greece, Ivan Vazov National Theatre Director Vasil Vasilev told the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) on Sunday. The audience rewarded the actors with more than 10 minutes of applause.

Among those attending the performance were BTA Director General Kiril Valchev, Athens-Macedonian News Agency Chief Editor John Georgiou, as well as Swedish choreographer Fredrik 'Benke' Rydman, creator of the stage concept for Bulgaria's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna in May 2026, which Bulgaria won with the song Bangaranga performed by singer Darina Yotova, better known as Dara.

The first premiere of The Bacchae was held on July 10 and was once again greeted with applause from the audience.

The Bacchae is the last surviving tragedy by the Greek playwright Euripides and depicts the return of the god Dionysus to Thebes and his conflict with King Pentheus. Directed by Javor Gardev, it is a co-production of the Athens Epidaurus Festival, the Ivan Vazov National Theatre in Sofia and the National Theatre of Northern Greece. Bulgarian actor Leonid Yovchev stars as Dionysus. The performance features Bulgarian and Greek actors, and the music is performed live by the British band The Tiger Lillies.

On July 13, the Ivan Vazov National Theatre's summer tour in Greece will be presented at the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) National Press Club in Athens.

The tour schedule is as follows: July 10 – Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus; July 11 – Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus; July 15 – Vrahon Theatre, Vyronas, Athens; July 17 – Petra Theatre, Athens; July 18 – Veakeio Theatre, Piraeus; July 20 – Siviri Amphitheatre, Halkidiki (Kassandra Festival); July 22 – Gis Theatre, Thessaloniki; July 24 – Katrakio Theatre, Nikaia, Athens; July 26 – Ancient Theatre of Dodona (Dodoni Festival); August 26 – Olympia Theatre, Floka, Ancient Olympia; August 28 – Ancient Theatre of Dion, Pieria; August 30 – Lycabettus Theatre, Athens; September 2 – Ancient Theatre of Philippi, Kavala.

/MR/