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Gypsy Wheels - Nataliya Tsekova

Gypsy Wheels

Ciganski Kolela



A seemingly average teenage girl is being questioned by her mentor who wants to understand why she did what she did, why she is making the decision that she is making.

The girl recalls memories and experiences but not all of them are her own. We get involved in the challenges of grandparents, sisters, teachers, kindergarten peers and classes through the exception skilled girl's tale who can assist with anything or anything, read the mind and memories of others and does not want to follow anyone else's example.

"I only need to forget. I shall forget, I promise you, for you, for me, I will go for a surgery that will erase all scars and scratches from my childhood. I will drain my blood to the last drop so that I will not hear its pulsating story and I will transfuse fresh blood. I will wipe out from my memory all that was there for years."

Creators


Writer:Zdrava Kamenova, Kalin Angelov
Director:Kalin Angelov
Performer:Nataliya Tsekova
Translator (Hungarian):Andrea Iván
Translator (English):Ina Petkova
Premiered:2016, Center for Performing Arts, Sofia, Bulgaria

trailer


Background

Natalia Tsekova graduated from the National Academy of Theatre and Film Arts in Sofia. Her first monodrama is Gypsy Wheels, a performance where each number tells the story of the protagonist in the first person. The play is not about the actress’s own life, who, she says, has not been discriminated against in her lifetime. 

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Focus scene



Reviews

'The authors intertwine folklore legends and authentic, reality-based stories of the Roma in Sofia, uniting them in the life story of a young woman. The woman is willing to pay a huge price to win the heart of her love, a non-Roma man - giving up her name, family and origins.’

Kultura.bg

‘In the end, she stands there “bleached” (in a white dress), ready to accept the neighbor’s Gadjo dinner invitation - as it is no longer visible that she is from the Roma from Roma community. But, as is the case with such a consciously created identity constructions, in a careless moment the erased memories start to sneak back, the skin and the eyes turn black again, the inner fire that gives warmth but does not scorch anyone starts to glows.’

szinhaz.net

material to read

Excerpts from the play
In case you would like to request availability to the full play and/or the full video about the performance, write an email to info@romaheroes.org and describe the aim of your request!

photo credits

All rights reserved

 1: ©Alina Vincze_Nataliya Tsekova

2: ©Alina Vincze_Nataliya Tsekova

3: ©Alina Vincze_Nataliya Tsekova

4: ©Alina Vincze_Nataliya Tsekova

5: ©Alina Vincze_Nataliya Tsekova