Production of the Targovishte Theatre (Bulgaria), premiere on January 30, 2024.
King of fools (КАПАН ЗА ТЪПАЦИ)
Author : Jean-Pierre Martinez
Translation : Vladimir PETKOV.
As the presidential elections approach, a party struggling in sociological surveys decides to be represented by a fool (the driver of the first secretary of the party), intending to let the blame for the impending failure fall on his shoulders. At the same time, they support an independent candidate, to whom they plan to ally in case of victory. Electoral manipulations, collusion with the main opposing party, and a fervent struggle to determine who and how will remain at the table of Power are not absent. However, the fool proves to be unpredictable… and the voters’ sentiments even more so.
Direction: Vladimir Petkov
Set Design: Petar Mitev
Music: Mikhail Shishkov – son
Featuring: Yoana Bukovska-Davidova, Greta Nedelcheva, Lyubomira Stefanova, Dimitar Martinov, Bozhidar Popchev, Lyubomir Farkov
Press review
Television news report on the Bulgarian National Television: Premiere of the French political satire "King of fools" at the Targovishte Drama Theatre.
Diffusion : BNT/ Kultura.BG, 30.01.2024
Tonight, at the Targovishte Drama Theatre, the premiere of the French political satire “King of Fools” will take place.
Jean-Pierre Martinez’s play is performed for the first time in Bulgaria. Ioana Bukovska-Davidova participated in the production as a guest actress.
Radio broadcast on the Bulgarian National Radio: premiere in Bulgaria of the political satire "King of Fools"
Diffusion : BNR/ 31.01.24 by Rada Stoykova
“King of Fools” is the premiere title in the repertoire of the Drama Theatre in Targovishte. The play is by Jean-Pierre Martinez, one of the most played contemporary French playwrights. He is the author of over 100 plays and has an average of 400 theatrical productions annually.
Several of his plays are performed on Bulgarian stages, but “Trap for Fools” is being staged for the first time in Bulgaria. The director of the performance is the director of the Targovishte Theatre, Vladimir Petkov, who has also directed other plays by Jean-Pierre Martinez. He is also responsible for the translation of the text into Bulgarian.
“The play follows the unexpected pre-election machinations of a party losing in sociological surveys for the presidential election. The party decides to be represented by the driver of the first secretary of the party, and thus, the impending downfall is to fall on his shoulders. However, it turns out that neither the ‘redeeming sacrifice’ nor the voters are so predictable,” reveal the creators of the play.
In the roles of political players, guest actress Yoana Bukovska-Davidova and actors from the Targovishte Theatre troupe – Lyubomir Farkov, Bozhidar Popchev, Dimitar Martinov, Greta Nedelcheva, and Lyubomira Stefanova.
The set design and costumes are by Petar Mitev, and the composer is Mikhail Shishkov – son.
The premiere of "King for Fools" promises political intrigues on the theatrical stage in Targovishte.
Theatrical audiences in Targovishte are on the verge of witnessing a unique event – the premiere of the French political satire “King of Fools” by Jean-Pierre Martinez. The performance, making its first appearance on the Bulgarian stage, is scheduled for tomorrow and promises an evening filled with sharp political intrigues and unexpected twists.
Director and translator of the play, Vladimir Petkov, chooses this title as a continuation of his last successful production, “A simple business dinner,” also a work by Martinez, focusing on corruption in the higher echelons of power. Petkov, known for his sense of dynamic and current themes, transfers the script into the context of the contemporary Bulgarian political scene, ensuring the audience remains glued to their seats from the beginning to the very end.
In “King of Fools,” the audience will witness exceptional acting transformations by Yoana Bukovska-Davidova and the leading actors from the troupe of the State Drama Theatre in Targovishte. Every action and every line on the stage promises precision and emotional depth, characteristic of the team and repertoire of the theatre.
The set design by Petar Mitev and the musical arrangement by Mikhail Shishkov – son complement the visual and auditory delight for the audience, contributing to a truly captivating and memorable theatrical experience.
Nina Krasteva, ISKRA – 29th of January 2024