While the Holocaust resulted in the tragic killing of six million European Jews, one country managed to protect almost all of its Jewish citizens from deportation and death.

I laughed and cried at this fascinating and witty tale of the role Boris III played in his country's efforts to save 50,000 Bulgarian Jews from the concentration camps of the Second World War. 

 The talented actors also make up the musical ensemble (Image: Supplied by Norwich Theatre) A captivating performance from a five-strong ensemble of multi-talented actor-musicians, this is not a straightforward tale of the goodies vs the baddies. 

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At the beginning of the play, we are introduced to the charming and rather silly King Boris, who faces a pressured choice of who to side with after the war has broken out in Europe. 

Bulgarian and Jewish folk music is played throughout (Image: Supplied by Norwich Theatre)

Should he "Make Bulgaria Great Again" and reclaim former land lost by his father by siding with powerful Nazi Germany, or join the Allies who seem to be fighting a losing battle against Hitler, with France and Belgium having already fallen? 

Encouraged by his prime minister to join the Axis powers, King Boris finds that the fate of Bulgaria's 50,000 Jews now rests in his hands. 

Deciding he must find a way to protect them, he is aided by the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, government officials and ordinary Bulgarian people who refused to abandon their neighbours. 

King Boris mysteriously died in 1943 after meeting Hitler (Image: Supplied by Norwich Theatre) Written by Cullen and Sasha Wilson, and directed by Hannah Hauer-King, the production is clever and self-aware, but 80 minutes does not feel like enough time to tell this important and complex story. 

While I found the moments of comedic relief welcome at times, some people may find it jarring for a story about the tragedy of the Holocaust to be told in an irreverent manner. 

The Brief Life & Mysterious Death of Boris III, King of Bulgaria runs until October 22 - book at norwichtheatre.org.