Sofia, Bulgaria — The premiere of Arms and the Man, a play directed by American actor John Malkovich, faced unexpected turmoil on Sunday as several hundred nationalist protesters surrounded the National Theater in Sofia.
The protesters, including pro-Russian political groups such as “Revival” and VMRO, blocked ticketed spectators from entering the theater, ultimately leaving the hall empty of audience members.
The protesters argued that the play, based on George Bernard Shaw’s 1894 work set during the Serbo-Bulgarian War, was disrespectful to Bulgaria.
Despite the theater’s attempts to proceed with the performance, audience members reported being physically intimidated and attacked, with limited intervention from police forces. Videos shared online showed heated clashes between protesters and theatergoers.
Notably, actor Vladimir Penev was reportedly pushed by demonstrators who took his glasses, while Bulgarian filmmaker Teodor Ushev said he was kicked and punched by some in the crowd. Police on the scene reportedly advised Ushev to leave rather than intervening to protect him.
In response, the performance went on as scheduled but played to an empty hall, with only journalists allowed in. A livestream was arranged to allow viewers to watch online, circumventing the disruption caused by the protest.
The incident has led to widespread criticism of the authorities’ handling of the event, with questions raised about the police response.
Bulgaria’s Minister of Internal Affairs Atanas Ilkov responded to the criticisms by suggesting that National Theater Director Vasil Vassilev’s direct engagement with protesters might have contributed to the escalation.
Ilkov stated that although 60 officers were present at the scene, the crowd grew more agitated after Vassilev’s attempt to calm them.
Following the incident, there were calls for Ilkov’s resignation amid accusations that the police had failed to uphold public order and protect the theatergoers.
Vassilev, who had been pressured by nationalist groups to censor the play in the weeks leading up to the premiere, condemned the protest as an “unacceptable act.”
He defended the production’s right to be staged, emphasizing that it should be judged based on its performance rather than assumptions.
Malkovich responded to the controversy by noting he found the accusations of mockery “amusing” and reiterated that his intention was not to disrespect Bulgaria or its history.
Sofia’s mayor, Vasil Terziev, has announced that fines will be imposed on the protest organizers. Terziev noted that the gathering outside the “Ivan Vazov” National Theater had not met the legal requirements to hold a protest.
Addressing the broader issue, Terziev questioned why authorities failed to recognize the seriousness of the situation in advance.
He also urged a reevaluation of what patriotism means, condemning actions that obstruct public cultural events and stating that true patriotism should involve respect for differing perspectives.
Despite the disruptions, Arms and the Man will continue its scheduled performances, with authorities hoping for calmer proceedings in the future.
Interior Minister Ilkov expressed hope that upcoming performances will go ahead without incident, aiming to restore normalcy following the high-profile protest.