The Brief Life & Mysterious Death of Boris III, King of Bulgaria
The year is 1943 and Bulgaria has just told Hitler where to stick it.
Europe’s major powers are at war and King Boris III must choose a side or be swept away. A raucous and poignant tale in which a bunch of underdogs use every trick in the book to outwit the Nazis and save nearly 50,000 Jewish lives.
Fresh from a New York run, the Edinburgh Fringe smash hit and Off West End award-winner is now heading to the Mercury Theatre.
Award-winning Out Of The Forest Theatre’s irreverent comedy – featuring live music inspired by Bulgarian and Jewish folk tunes – tells the incredible true story that the world forgot.
Booking for a school?
This show is ideal for Drama evaluation.
Tickets for schools are £12 (including levy) and for every 10 tickets you buy the 11th is free for a teacher or member of support staff.
You can book today (and even pre-order your ice cream!) by filling in our form or by calling our customer experience team on 01206 573948. Please be aware the form will ask you for your first and second choice performances dates and times, so please do have a look through the performance schedule below before heading over to the form.
Content to consider
Strong language, theatrical haze and references to war and antisemitism.
Studio Event
Please note that this performance takes place in our smaller Studio Theatre. If it’s your first visit or you are unfamiliar with the Mercury building, you can find out more about our spaces here.
Written by Sasha Wilson and Joseph Cullen
Directed and Dramaturged by Hannah Hauer-King
Associate Director, Vicky Moran
Produced by Claire Gilbert for Out Of The Forest Theatre
Performed by Nick Biadon, Clare Fraenkel, Lawrence Boothman, David Leopold and Sasha Wilson
Stage Managed by Zoe Mackinnon
Set Design by Sorcha Corcoran with Associate Hannah Williams
Lighting Design by Will Alder
Costume Design by Helen Stewart
Music supported by Dessi Stefanova of the London Bulgarian Choir
PR by Chloe Nelkin PR
In association with Something for the Weekend
Out Of The Forest Theatre is an Off West End award-winning ensemble-based company. We take misremembered or forgotten stories from history, set them to folk music, and use them as a lens to better understand today. Irreverently presented, knee-slapping, historical theatre with a modern revisionist twist.
Razor-sharp wit and faultless timing, a spirited celebration of the Bulgarian monarch who outwitted Hitler and saved thousands of Jewish lives.’
The Scotsman
Snappily written, wittily performed and brightly coloured by a live score… For all its fun and games, it is a play with a sting.
The Guardian
THE hit of the Edinburgh Fringe.
Times Radio
Historically poignant and hysterically funny.
West End Best Friend
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