site.btaRenowned Playwright Joanna Murray-Smith Visits Sofia for a Panorama of Her Plays

Internationally acclaimed playwright Joanna Murray-Smith is visiting Sofia this week, Sofia's Youth Theatre announced on social media. During her stay, audiences will have an opportunity to see four performances of her plays, including the premiere of Ninety, directed by award-winning Bulgarian actor-director Ivaylo Hristov.

Murray-Smith is coming at the invitation of the General Manager of the Youth Theatre, Mihail Baykov. 

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.

The Youth Theatre invites audiences to step into the vast world of her characters and to meet Joanna Murray-Smith in person.

Ninety will be the fourth Murray-Smith playing in Sofia's threatres. Bombshells is on at Sofia Theatre, and Honour and Switzerland at Theatre 199. 

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.

The playwright also writes prose and has directed one of her own plays, L'appartement.

The Joanna Murray-Smith panorama includes:

November 5  – Bombshells by Sofia Theatre, at the Chamber Stage of the Tear and Laughter; November 6 – Ninety at Youth Theatre, Chamber Stage – Premiere; November 7 – Ninety at Youth Theatre, Chamber Stage – Premiere; November 8 – Switzerland at Theatre 199; November 9 – Honour at Theatre 199; November 9, 2025 – Meet-and-discuss session with Joanna Murray-Smith at the Youth Theatre, 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.