Sad Family by Branislav Nusic director Bina Haralampieva sets & costumes Petya Stoikova music Assen Avramov CAST Itzhak Finzi, Ilka Zafirova, Josif Sarchadjiev, Hristo Mutafchiev, Vassilena Atanasova, Petar Kalchev, Emil Kotev, Yordanka Stefanova, Albena Koleva, Antonii Argirov, Stoyan Mladenov, Stela Ivanova		"Sad Family" Evokes Laughter and Tears "Sad Family" is the latest premiere at the Little City Theatre. Actors Yiossif Surchadjiev, Ilka Zafirova, Izthak Finzi and Yordanka Stefanova play with utmost dedication. Brilliant production by Bina Haralampieva, and one of the best comedies staged lately in the country…The production is full of well directed scenes. Most of the characters are unforgettable – ex-chief Agaton and his idiotic hypocrite of a coward in the shoes of an experienced crook (perfectly performed by Hristo Moutafchiev); the incredible couple Moutafchiev-Yordanka Stefanova (as Simka, wife of Agaton), with simplicity and meanness walking hand in hand; hypocrite Gina (Ilka Zafirova) whose hair style and manners seem to be the result of a powerful electrical current; the hilarious oppositioner Trifun (Itzhak Finzi); loony Proka (Emil Kotev) and his incredible pedigree. The character of the incredible “aunt” housekeeper is trulky remarkable – it is the “dead man” himself dressed up as a kind, old lady – Yossif Surchadjiev. Patricia Nikolova, Sega daily, 31 April 2005
Good-humoured Nusic and his “Sad Family” „It was just recently, something to do with a theatre premiere and a critic said, “I laughed and I laughed, and I laughed, and then I stopped to think, what was this?” The underlying meaning of these words she was trying to share with me was painfully banal. But the laugher, I thought at the time, unrestrained, unyielding to the temptation of her analytical mind, was an outburst of her true self… That laughter made her human, it turned her into a character of the story on stage… whether she liked it or not. I am telling you this because after “The Sad Family” I walked out and said to myself “I didn’t laugh, I didn’t laugh, I didn’t laugh – what is this?” And my mind tried to fling at my wry smile all of the written and spoken descriptions of the author… His “vibrant, brilliant hum,our”, “the deeply Balkan characters of Nusic”, all those layers and layers of beliefs about what a jolly fellow this Branislav was. And I think that it is exactly in the lack of “vibrant, brilliant humour” and the distinction from the frequently profane and over exposed Balkan character that makes this production (Bina Haralampieva) so worthwhile… One is still or laughs when delicately touched. Without realizing it. for it is about the senses...     ...And so the only question that you might – but only if you have the courage, really – ask is not “What’s going on?” but “Wha’s happening to me?” In this production it is happening. It is happening to Me. And I will hear for a very long time the tears of the trumpet – the only sincere, true, mourning tears. So typically of the Balkans mourning not the dead but the mourners… (composer Assen Avramov). And the sparkling purity of the house/heritage… The idea of something good… somewhere… some time… with somebody… not us. And not here… (designer Pety Stoikova). But Yosko (Surchadjiev) was here with me. His return to the theatre was yet another great achievement of the production. A return so much wanted and expected. Vassilena (Atanassova) was also here with me – in one of the best roles I have seen her perform in, and Petar (Kalchev) whom I truly respect as a colleague – this young boy is constantly developing, Emil Kotov, Dana (Stefanova) for whom this was the perfect debut on the Off the Channel stage… And Ilka (Zafirova)… unpredictable and brilliant as always… and Itzo (Moutafchiev) – and everybody knows my preferences here (well deserved)…” Atanas Atanassov, Politika, 2 April 2005