site.btaSet Designer Nikola Toromanov-Ficho: "This Is a Complex, Intricate Project"

"This is a complex, intricate project that was completed in a very short time given the circumstances," said set designer Nikola Toromanov-Ficho, speaking about the production of Euripides' The Bacchae, directed by Javor Gardev. The play has already had two shows in Greece - on July 10 and 11, at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus as part of the Athens-Epidaurus Festival.

Toromanov was speaking Monday at a press conference at BTA's National Press Club in Athens, where information was presented about the Bulgarian National Theatre's summer tour of Greece.

The Bacchae is a co-production of the Athens-Epidaurus Festival, the Ivan Vazov National Theatre in Sofia, and the National Theatre of Northern Greece. The production brings together Bulgarian and Greek actors, with live music performed by the British band The Tiger Lillies. The Bacchae is Euripides' last surviving tragedy, telling the story of the god Dionysus's return to Thebes and his conflict with King Pentheus. The production will have 13 performances in ancient theatres across Greece.

BTA Director General Kiril Valchev asked Toromanov-Ficho how one designs a stage set for Epidaurus, and about the even greater challenge of adapting it for different ancient theatres, such as Dodona, Olympia, Philippi, and open-air venues in Athens, Piraeus, Thessaloniki and elsewhere.

"This is a universal stage design. Of course, there is no such thing as a universal space, but its basic structure was built for Epidaurus. From there, the scheme of concentric circles, the labyrinth, and the approach to the palace will be adapted to the different venues with minimal compromise," the designer said.

"I want to say that this was truly an extraordinary experience," Toromanov noted.

"The co-producers did everything possible to ensure that what needed to happen was not deprived of the chance to be realized, and I'm grateful for that. I'm also grateful to the teams of the National Theatre, of course, as well as for the helping hand extended by the Greek side - they are wonderful people too," said Nikola Toromanov-Ficho.

He made a point to mention the lack of state funding.

Participants in the launch of the Bulgarian National Theatre's summer tour of Greece included BTA Director General Kiril Valchev, Ivan Vazov National Theatre Director Vasil Vasilev, National Theatre of Northern Greece Artistic Director Asterios Peltekis, director Javor Gardev, Vegas Culture co-producer director Dimitris Arvanitis, actor Leonid Yovchev (who plays Dionysus), Michail Tabakakis (who plays Pentheus), actor Ivan Yurukov (who plays the First Messenger), Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA) Editor-in-Chief John Georgiou, and Bulgarian Ambassador to Greece Valentin Poriazov.