The Brief Life and Mysterious Death of Boris III, King of Bulgaria
59E59 Theaters New York - Theater A - May - June 2024
Arcola Theatre - Studio 1 - September 2023
Queen Dome - Pleasance - August 2023
VAULT Festival - The Cavern - March 2020
The year is 1943 and Bulgaria has just told Hitler where to stick it.
Europe’s major powers are at war and King Boris III must choose a side or be swept away. A raucous and poignant tale in which a bunch of underdogs use every trick in the book to outwit the Nazis and save nearly 50,000 Jewish lives.
Award-winning Out of the Forest Theatre’s irreverent comedy - featuring life music inspired by Bulgarian and Jewish folk tunes - tells the incredible true story that the world forgot.
Cast:
Lawrence Boothman
Joseph Cullen
Clare Fraenkel
David Leopold
Sasha Wilson
Creative Team:
Writer - Joseph Cullen
Writer - Sasha Wilson
Director & Dramaturg - Hannah Haeur-King
Producer - Claire Gilbert
Lighting Designer - Will Alder
Set Designer - Sorcha Corcoran
Associate Set Designer - Alice Carroll
Costume Designer - Helen Stewart
Assistant Producer - Lorra Videv
Stage Manager (Arcola) - Maddie Whiffin
Stage Manager (Edinburgh) - Zoe MacKinnon
Stage Manager (New York) - John Concannon
Production Photographer (Arcola) - Héctor Manchego
Production Photographer (New York) - Carol Rosegg
Reviews
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"Will Alder’s lighting beautifully contributes to the storytelling: A diminishing box of light late in the play very much suggests a curtain coming down on Boris and his reign — no spoiler considering the title."
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"Will Alder's lighting is neatly pointed"
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"The costumes by Helen Stewart, set design by Sorcha Corcoran and lighting by Will Alder complement each other well to create the perfect atmosphere and timepiece"
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"Will Alder’s lighting design employs bold colors and patterns that yield to cold, stark tones as the mood grows sinister."
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"Clever lighting and swift scene changes also allow abrupt and demanding switches from absurdity to deadly seriousness"
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"Out of the Forest Theatre's Boris, for the frivolity, laughter, and enjoyment the audience may deservedly take from the play, possesses sharpness - encapsulated by a strikingly effective scene, more chilling than it has any right to be - and all it takes is a pressed grey hat and coat on a stand, with just the right purpose of lighting"
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"Cullen's performance of Boris III addressing the Bulgarian people detailing the extent of his 'alliance' to the Nazi party, is both terrifying and awesome to watch. Tonally it is such a stark contrast from everything that has come before it. His perfect acting choices, aided by the score, lighting and sound design, makes this moment memorable for all of the right reasons"
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"...the terrifying truth of the world at war is highlighted in stark reality when the King meets Hitler in person for a crucial discussion on the deportation of 50,000 Jews. Staged with such simplicity in dim light, this is a chilling, dramatic scene"
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"Set and lighting (Sorcha Corcoran and Will Alder respectively) are simple and modern. Filament bulbs habg over the stage and King Boris' throne remains on stage throughout never leaving us in doubt who this show is about"
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"Will Alder’s lighting, Sorcha Corcoran’s spare sets and Helen Stewart’s costumes complete the play’s success, augmented by Dessi Stefanova’s pitch-perfect musical choices."