site.btaRenowned Playwright Joanna Murray-Smith's Play "Ninety" Premieres in Sofia in Her Attendance

Internationally acclaimed playwright Joanna Murray-Smith will attend the premiere of her fourth play in Bulgarian theatres, Ninety, at the Youth Theatre on Thursday. Directed by award-winning Bulgarian actor-director Ivaylo Hristov, the play features actors Kristina Yaneva and Vladimir Karamazov.

Murray-Smith is visiting Bulgaria at the invitation of the General Manager of the Youth Theatre, Mihail Baykov. During her stay, audiences will have an opportunity to see four performances of her plays - Bombshells by Sofia Theatre on November 5 at the Chamber Stage of the Tear and Laughter; Ninety at Youth Theatre's Chamber Stage on November 6 and 7; Switzerland at Theatre 199 on November 8; and Honour at Theatre 199 on November 9.

All four of them have been translated by Zlatna Kostova, one of the most recognizable names among Bulgarian theatre translators. 

She told BTA that Murray-Smith's visit is a dream-come-true for her. "Ever since I discovered her as I translated the first play, I have been dreaming of meeting her. Once I finish working on a play by her, I am totally reluctant to start anything else. She is an outstanding playwright," Kostova said.

She has translated two more of Murray-Smith's plays, Three Little Words and Berlin, and they are waiting to be staged.

A meet-and-discuss session with her will be held at the Youth Theatre's Chamber Stage. Admission to the discussion is free, by invitation, while seats last. The events are organized in partnership with Theatre 199  and Sofia Theatre. 

Celebrated for her remarkable ability to translate the complexities of the human soul into brilliant and insightful dialogue, the Australian writer is renowned for works that are at once wise, witty, and deeply psychological. Her plays explore the intricate dynamics of human relationships and delve into universal themes such as love and betrayal, marriage and identity, freedom and responsibility — stories that ultimately dissolve the barrier between stage and audience. Inspired by true events or born of her vivid imagination and talent, Murray-Smith's plays serve as a bridge between the personal and the collective, between Melbourne and the world. She is a writer whose words linger long after the curtain falls, the Youth Theatre said of the playwright.