We frequently receive compliments for the beautiful pictures from our performance and we decided, that you would find it interesting to get to know the photographer, who has conducted the photoshoots of almost all of our plays recently.

For us it is a great pleasure to work with Simon Varsano, and here is what he shares:

S.T. Introduce yourself to our readers and audience!

Simon Varsano, a photographer. I have been taking pictures in theatre in Sofia for many years now. Apart from that, I like being a spectator in the audience, for which unfortunately I have little spare time. I started working as a photographer in “National Culture“(a currently non-existing publishing house in Bulgaria), “ABV.BG”, and other editions. At the same time I used to work as a medical photographer in “Pirogov”, and in recent years I have been working mainly in the field of cinema and theatre. I am happy when I get some time aside to picture something different as well, for instance, street photography.

S.T. You made a photoshoot of our actors and everyone, who works at Sofia Theatre, which was specifically dedicated to our 50^th anniversary. Tell us something more about the idea, the work process, and your impressions from our actors, when you worked with them in a different setting, and not when they are on the scene in various roles. Did you find new spaces in the theatre that are particularly fascinating when it comes to taking pictures?

The most important thing for me was that the team of Sofia Theatre trusted me completely and I was given thorough freedom during these photoshoots, together with immense collaboration, which further facilitated my work. I wanted to do something different from the usual portraits, together with showing the people, who participate in the creation process of a play, each of them at his or her work position, which most people probably do not even suspect they exist.

S.T. You photoshoot almost all of our plays – what is your opinion about the repertoire of Sofia Theatre?

Some of the last plays that I shot - “Antigone” (in the theatre and behind the Presidency) and “Anna Karenina” – I find them to be robust, beautiful, with strong presence from the actors, on one hand, and the director, on the other. It was a great pleasure for me, both as a photographer and as a spectator.

S.T. Tell us about the challenges and the creative solutions during the shooting of a theatrical play?

I always pay a lot of attention to the background of the photo. When I shoot at the theatre I want to show the efforts of the director, the production designer, the suits artist, and, of course, the actors. I do not want the pictures to be taken just for the sake of it, but when a person looks at them to be easier for him or her to comprehend how each of them is a part of the specific play.

S.T. Which is the most unusual place where you have taken pictures?

Once I photographed the Perlovska River, which passes by Sofia Theatre too. The pictures turned out to be very romantic and this usually ghastly place looks very beautiful. I intend to show these photos soon.

S.T. What are the most interesting people you have taken pictures of?

Beyond the extent of my work projects, whenever I decide to take out the camera and shoot, it means that I have found something interesting about that person in particular. I do not think I can rank them in terms of importance.

S.T. Wish something to Sofia Theatre for its 50^th anniversary!

I wish you to keep on being the same well-organized team and to continue creating beautiful and emotional spectacles, with which to excite your audience.