Loot

The paradoxes and absurdity of this play are more believable than everyday reality. Written originally as a "comedy of manners", Joe Orton's play is in fact a brilliant socio-political tragicomic farce with crime-sentimental shades, with an exceptional sense of humour and depths and insights over which you can laugh until you cry — and shed more than a few tears. Staged in the distinctly contemporary style of "neodecadence", the production presents an absurd, comically sorrowful reality. A dangerously cheerful tale of total decay and moral and economic ruin — served, thank goodness, with an incredible sense of humour. Translation: Rada Sharlandzhieva. Stage version and direction: Mikhail Petrov. Set and costumes: Elena Ivanova. Production dramaturg: Dr Svetlana Pancheva. Premiere: 10 May 2013.