A highly acclaimed satirical play about President Vladimir Putin and his allies facing a war crimes tribunal is making waves in Bulgaria, a country historically close to Russia. Titled "The Hague", the play by Ukrainian author Sasha Denisova recounts the story of an orphaned teenager from Mariupol who imagines how Russia's top brass is brought to justice over its devastating war in Ukraine. After premiering in Poland and the United States earlier this year, celebrated guest director Galin Stoev adapted the play for a Bulgarian audience, seeking to challenge the Balkan country's pro-Kremlin sentiment. In this version, Putin is portrayed by Bulgarian actor Radena Valkanova, who dons a sleek black suit and red shoes. "The play is received in the way that we expected it to be, with very polarised opinions," she tells AFP. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES