Skopje, 5 August 2025 (MIA) — Leading Macedonian choreographer Risima Risimkin's new dance play "D (as Desdemona)" will be performed by the Skopje Dance Academy at Verona's Shakespeare Academy Festival on Sept. 13.

In her latest choreography, Risimkin brings to the stage Shakespeare's figure of Desdemona, exploring her emotional charge in the context of epic themes of love, envy, jealousy and murder, organizers said.

"The play combines classical ballet with contemporary dance, introducing a spoken element into the non-verbal form, which makes it unique on the world stage," they said.

Risimkin's "D (as Desdemona)" is the second dance performance in her “Women in Shakespeare’s Works” trilogy.

The dance play, which premiered at the National Opera and Ballet's Macedonian Choreographers Days, was also staged at the opening of the 26th Bitola's Monodrama Festival in May.

The cast consists of eight dancers: Anastasia Danchevska as Desdemona; Dejan Bitrovski as Iago; Luka Gjorgievski as Othello; Sara Dimovska as Emilia; Davor Milev as Death; and Nadja Lukanova, Elena Terzieva, and Ivona Manevska as the voices.

"D (as Desdemona)" is set to music by Toni Kitanovski. The costumes were designed by Blagoj Micevski and the stage and lighting design is by Matea Mijanovikj.

Risimkin's "Lady Macbeth" was performed to great critical acclaim in Italy in 2023, with record attendance reported at the Veronese Camploy Theater. The dance play was described as an "authentic discovery" by Verona Sera newspaper. mr/