Sava Petrov Ognianov

Born Apr. 24, 1876, in Constanta, Rumania; died Mar. 22, 1933, in Sofia, Bulgaria. Bulgarian actor.

Ognianov studied at drama schools in Munich (1897–99) and Berlin (1899–1901). In 1902 he made his debut in Sofia in the Suiza i Smiakh Theater (in 1904 the company became part of the People’s Theater). Seeking to perfect his art, Ognianov attended performances at the best theaters in Europe and studied with Europe’s leading actors and theater people. In 1911–12 he was in Moscow, where he visited the Moscow Art Theater and became a friend of K. S. Stanislavsky, V. I. Kachalov, and I. M. Moskvin.

Ognianov’s talent as an actor was greatly enhanced by his association with outstanding theater people of his time. His stage roles were noted for their emotional qualities, great clarity and profundity of thought, and intellectuality. Ognianov had perfect mastery of the technique of transforming himself into the character he was playing. His movements were highly expressive.

Ognianov’s roles included Dinko in Strashimirov’s The Vampire, Rad Lupu in Vazov’s Above the Abyss, Tsar Ivan Asen in Vazov’s Borislav, and Rogozhin in The Idiot (based on Dostoev-sky’s novel). He also played the title roles in Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Macbeth, as well as Caesar in Shaw’s Caesar and Cleopatra.

Ognianov taught in his own schools and in people’s teachers’ courses. In 1920 he made his debut in films. The people’s theater in the city of Ruse bears his name.