One of the measures taken to curb new cases of coronavirus-infected citizens in many countries has been the cancellation of all planned mass events. In addition to music groups and individual performers, this ban was also respected by the theatre companies which suspended their performances, making theatre halls empty. Still, fans of the theatrical arts did not have to spend long without their favourite productions. The Sofia-based Vazrazhdane Municipal Theatre began broadcasting some iconic titles from its repertoire online. Thus, on March 10, in front of the "quarantined audience" and an empty hall, the play of world-famous Russian writer Anton Chekhov Uncle Vanya was played, and on the 14^ththe online  audience could watch Jeremy Lloyd and David Crofts’s 'Allo 'Allo!Is it possible that these online broadcasts will attract a new audience which will come to the theatre halls once the state of emergency is over and theatres open doors again – we talk to Bulgarian actress Albena Pavlova:

“I hadn't thought of that, but such a scenario is quite possible. The only thing that bothers me is that the actors need to get together in order to perform the play and the idea is for people not to gather. But a positive effect is possible and it will again arouse the interest of people in this experience.”

In an interview from the past days, the chairman of the Union of Bulgarian Actors, Hristo Mutafchiev, stated that the salaries of all actors during this quarantine period would be paid and added that he would insist on the use of funds from which they would be compensated after the end of this crisis. Albena Pavlova shares her opinion of the current situation:

“Older people are much more in need. If fires are to be extinguished somewhere, let it really be where it is most needed. After all, we are working people and we will manage. Sooner or later things will get back to normal and the audience will return to the theatre halls. I'm quite optimistic about that. One fact that gives me confidence that very few tickets have been returned in Sofia. Instead, people were calling to ask when we would have a show, not when they could give their tickets back. We have enjoyed tremendous support from the public for years now and I do not think that our fans will withdraw, abandon us, and no longer need theatre.”

In the opinion of the actress, despite the inconvenience they create, the measures taken against the spread of the new coronavirus are timely, and Bulgaria’s crisis staff works with "exceptional professionalism, discipline and responsibility for all of us". "After all, life will go back to normal at one point and it is a matter of time for this to happen. Apparently, however, now it is time to slow down and stay home, the actress adds. The panic and mass hoarding with products that we have witnessed in recent days are first-hand reactions that are rather unnecessary, Albena Pavlova believes, adding:

“What I would advise people to do is not to panic, to do what they need to do and to adhere to full self-isolation. We owe it to ourselves and our loved ones, and without making too much drama I think it can be life-saving. The other important thing is to take vitamins, drink tea, clean surfaces with alcohol, and wash our hands frequently. These are basic, simple things that can save our lives.”

English Rossitsa Petcova