Since he graduated from the Lir National Academy of Dramatic Art in 2022, young Bulgarian actor Konstantin Stanchev has been making a splash on the Irish stage, with roles in Brokentalkers' The Boy Who Never Was and the Abbey's forthcoming Irish premiere of Martyna Majok's accaimed play Ironbound, as part of this year's Dublin Theatre Festival.
Winner of the 2018 Pulitzer Prize and a nominee for the 2023 Tony Award for Best Play, Ironbound is described as 'a darkly funny portrait of a woman navigating the perils and possibilities of a radically changing world'.
and director Aoife Spillane-Hinks (far right)
We asked Konstantin for his choice cultural picks...
FILM
The last film I saw that really stayed with me profoundly was Paolo Sorrentino's semi-autobiographical film The Hand of God. It follows the story of a young Italian teenager who wants to become a filmmaker but undergoes a terrible family tragedy. Without spoiling too much (because I seriously appeal to everyone to see it), the reason I loved it so much was because in my mind it had zero vanity, even though it’s semi-autobiographical. It had so much soulful sense of humour and it was incredibly touching. Don’t get me started on the acting and the soundtrack. Also, Naples? That's where the film is set. I have to go there next.
I also recently saw Scarface for the first time with a friend and it stayed with me, not because I particularly thought it was genius, but because it’s a classic and there’s something kind of iconic about it. Tar is also a really interesting film that I saw recently and I think I’m still digesting it and have juxtaposing thoughts about it - I hadn’t seen something like it recently, or ever perhaps. I think people should see it because it addresses a very current and important topic, even though it does so in a very particular way. It’s also very stylised. I’d love to have a conversation about it with people who have seen it, in order to deepen and expand my understanding further.
P.S. I still haven’t seen Barbenheimer and honestly, I feel like I’m so behind on life...
MUSIC
My taste in music is so chaotic and unordered that I don’t even know where to begin. Looking at my Spotify history, the last thing I listened to was How Deep Is Your Love by the Bee Gees (no idea why), but then as I scroll down it goes through 70s Rock, bit of techno (so random, I know), jungle, some jazz and then film soundtracks. I guess my relationship with music is one that involves me plugging in my headphones and strolling through town as if I’m the main character, and the choice of song just depends on my mood. Recently I listened to Nina Simone sing Here Comes The Sun and honestly I don’t know how a person can have such a unique, wonderful voice. That version is both so sweet and also kind of sad.
BOOK
I have to shamefully admit that I don’t read much for pleasure… My mom would be so disappointed if she read this. I really have to change that habit. So I’ll just mention a book that has stayed with me: Nikos Kazandzakis’ Zorba The Greek. That book was filled with so much soul, warmth and zest for life- something that us Balkans really relate to, culturally.
THEATRE
I would love to mention the current play that I have the great privilege to be working on, and that is Martyna Majok’s Ironbound. The reason I love it is because it not only explores the important themes of immigration and giving a voice to the voiceless but also the theme of language and how much people want to express but cannot, how powerful the human soul is in the face of adversity and love, and the idea of decisions - how you never really know how your life will pan out, where you’ll be, who you’ll be… and you’ll only know when you get there. Honourable mentions would go to Tennessee Williams and his beautiful sensitivity and ferocity, Greek tragedies with their scale and beautiful spirituality, and Jean Genet’s The Maids where humans go to the very edge of dreaming, longing, hoping, hating, loathing.
I’d also love to read some more modern plays, written by people around my age from various backgrounds!
TV
There’s so many TV shows that I know are fantastic but I haven’t seen yet… such as Succession or The Bear. Scenes of a Marriage was amazing and so beyond my comprehension because of the nature of the show, but still amazing. In all honesty, I’ve currently been watching TV as comfort food, so there’s been some Friends and a bit of Emily in Paris going on in the evenings.
GIG
God, I haven’t been to one in soo long…. I also wish I had an upcoming one planned. To be honest, though, I’m not sure if I am the gig-going kind of person. I went to Forbidden Fruit for the first time this year and that was great, but I don’t know if it counts as a gig, it’s more of a festival.
What a glorious Bank Holiday weekend it's been, thank you and see you next year! ☀️😈
— Forbidden Fruit (@ForbiddenFFest) June 5, 2023
It wouldn't be possible if it wasn't for all of the fantastic performers, partners, and crew who work year round to make #FF23 happen, but most important are you beautiful dancers pic.twitter.com/XgQhlYS52C
RADIO/PODCAST
This is where I feel very behind on the world, because I’m afraid I don’t listen to any. I wish I was one of those people and honestly I think it’s more of a Western thing to listen to podcasts. I don’t think that many people back home do that in their spare time (Or maybe I’m totally wrong). But one day I will be one of those people who wakes up in the morning, has coffee from a Moka Pot and prepares breakfast while listening to a great podcast. And I’m saying that completely sincerely, with zero irony. It also sounds like a lovely thing to do. It’s time for yourself and I think there’s something comforting in hearing someone talk about something they understand. It’s also good to listen every once in a while - like, really listen.
TECH
Honestly I feel like I should mention Chat GPT and AI in general. It’s a terrifying concept. But yet the world seems to have decided that it’s a necessary one. And maybe it is, who knows? It probably has some amazing benefits, I’m just scared of human beings totally losing sense of the vastly complex and nuanced communication, human relationships and being in general. I feel like social media has done enough damage on that front.
THE NEXT BIG THING...
Hmm... with the risk of becoming annoying, I’d like to mention Ironbound again which will be on in the Abbey as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival. I’m so honoured to be a part of it and I think it is important for audiences to see it. I feel like a lot of people will relate to it, even if they don’t have any history with immigration. Also: I would love to see my Dad retire from work and travel to Spain, and see my mom and my siblings do fabulous things… I also honestly cannot wait to see my friends and classmates both from here and back home do amazing things, in whatever field or country that may be. It probably sounds like a really cheesy thing to say, but I feel like the people in my life are the next big thing for me, because they keep inspiring me all the time.
Ironbound is on the Peacock stage at the Abbey Theatre from 3rd October – 11th November 2023 - find out more here.
