Silk is contemporary Italian writer Alessandro Baricco’s beautiful and sensual novel set in the 19th century that tells an impossible love story spanning two continents. The platonic relationship between the French silkworm merchant Hervé and a nameless concubine in Japan develops the metaphor of the road connecting different civilizations. Each of the characters goes through some inner struggle; each suffers in silence that engulfs their lives. The beauty of love as the great purpose of the human quest is Diana Dobreva’s performance major topic.
There is hardly any direct speech in Baricco’s novel, and the storyline jumps between France and Japan. Therefore, a major challenge staging the novel is how the portrayal of the characters’ inner and intertwined experiences can best reach viewers. Diana Dobreva’s direction manages to recreate the mesmerising impact of the writer’s language as she employs stylish choreography, imposing images and subtle dream-like sounds.
This performance is Bulgaria’s first production included in the Official Selection of the Theatre Olympics, held in Hungary in 2023.
This performance is part of Plovdiv – European Capital of Culture Heritage programme.
Askeer Theatre Award for Best Director (Diana Dobreva), for Set Design (Mira Kalanova) and Costumes (Marina Raychinova)
Icarus Award 2022 Nomination for Best Set Design, Best Costumes and Video Design
Icarus Award 2022 Nomination for Technical Craftmanship
Award of Plovdiv City for theatre production
Askeer Award 2022 Nomination for Best Music (Petya Dimanova)
With English surtitles.
