Budapest Theatre Digest

Here are more entertainment options for March 2019.

Entries are listed by theater or venue.

Pesti Színház (Pesti Theater)

Toldi  This production must be a godsend for Hungarian students, who are required to read János Arany’s epic heroic poem. Here Gábor Csőre recounts it all in a winning and entertaining fashion. Despite his abundant charm, however, the language remains unyieldingly old-fashioned and poetic – hence, very difficult to understand. March 5, 21

A testőr [The Guardsman]  Enikó Esenyi and András Stohl inject plenty of energy and star power into this comic gem by Ferenc Molnár, and while the arc of some scenes may get lost, they pack in the laughs. They play is modernized, particularly with regard to the costumes and the acting couple’s spacious flat, although some of the references remain dated. András Kern proves to be a great straight man, feeding the co-stars their cue lines like a pro. The only disappointment is Erzsébet Kútvölgyi, who fails to be funny as the obnoxious mother-in-law. Overall, a good show. March 6, 22

For a detailed review, click here.

John Gabriel Borkman  A must-see for Ibsen fans, this late pay shows him experimenting with allegory and a more symbolist style. What occurs onstage is mostly the consequence of actions taken 10 and 18 years beforehand. On this occasion, Péter Valló’s direction is quite capable, but occasionally seems tired and uninspired. In the larger-than-life lead roles, Géza D. Hegedűs and Enikő Börcsök both shine. Barbara Hegyi is miscast (or misdirected) as Borkman’s embittered wife. Her character could be far more grotesque. Miklós H. Vecsei does well in his smaller role as the defiant son. March 11, 12, 16

Mikve  Stick around for the second half of this contemporary Israeli play about a traditional bath facility for pious Jewish women. You may expect it to be a typical women’s drama with everyone’s secrets revealed and everyone crying on each other’s shoulders by the end, but the drama takes a much more radical turn as the community of women from the mikve band together to defy society. It boasts a fine ensemble cast with great performances all around. Barbara Hegyi, in particular, shows uncommon fire in the role of an abused wife. March 19

Biborsziget [The Purple Island]  Mihail Bulgakov’s little-seen backstage farce depicts a mammoth theater’s last desperate struggles for survival, staging on a zero budget a brand new spectacle, fresh from the pen of an ambitious young writer. But – oh, no – here comes the State Censor! Although actor-cum-director Géza D. Hegedűs brings out a mere fraction of the potential comedy in this multi-layered opus (which threatens to burst the boundaries of the small Pesti stage), he clearly understands the humor and the message; so we can appreciate and savor this delightful, thought-provoking piece. Long live Purple Island! March 31

Pinceszínház (Cellar Theater)

A Gézagyerek [Kid Géza]  János Hay’s first successful play is probably his best, with a cast of well-intentioned quarry workers as heroes and Géza, the safety inspector with autism sitting in high crane, as an unlikely symbol of God. The production here has plenty of good actors, but the writing is heavy-handed at times. The lackluster direction and nondescript set hardly help. Still, it is a decent humanist tragicomedy with an impressively focused performance by Géza Takács (as Géza) and a touching portrayal of his mother by the wondrous Enikő Börcsök. March 3, 25

A Herner Ferike faterja [Frankie Herner’s Father]  What was Enikő Börcsök thinking when she directed this turkey of a play? The only thing I can compliment is the set (by József Tóth), which features flats outfitted with three-dimensional details, sometimes wildly out of proportion. Playwright János Hay uses mostly the same characters from his breakthrough work Kid Géza, but here the backwater hicks are mostly mocked for their manifold vices. The dialogue, with its incessant stalling and pseudo-profundities, sounds like bad David Mamet. Plus, the scenes of domestic violence are jarring in a comedy, even a poor and offensive one. The experience left me feeling physically ill. March 14, 22

Radnóti Színház (Radnóti Theater)

10  Both thematically and structurally reminiscent of Krzystof Kieślowski’s Dekalog, Csaba Székely’s new play is structured around the interlocking tales of ten residents at the Hope Housing Estate, each of whom represents one of the Ten Commandments that they break. Who are these characters? A saintly young man with intellectual disabilities, a man with body dysmorphic disorder, an incest survivor-turned-prostitute (the only character identified as Roma), a workaholic female head doctor, a soldier in Afghanistan with abandonment issues, and a bored trophy wife, among others. The writing can be heavy-handed, and some actors fall into the trap of overacting. Others have moments of brilliance. Yet, the duration is well over three hours, and the last hour is spent tying up plot threads. A recurring theme is emotional blindness, most obvious in the case of a narcissistic paintress who can see others’ auras, but is insensitive to their pain. Blocks of assisted storytelling are separated by interludes wherein the cast sings the Biblical text in a dead language. This is most powerful when the music sounds like modern gospel. Transylvanian director Aba Sebestyén uses plenty of face-forward and two hand-held cameras to provide (occasionally effective) live visual effects, but this technique already seems old hat. March 2, 14, 16, 22

Üvegfigurák [Glass Menagerie]  This production helmed by Péter Valló loses much of the poetry of the original, but mines uncommon sources of humor, which serves as an antidote to the cloying sentimentality that often hangs over this play. Jenny Horváth’s set captures the opacity / transparency that Tennessee Williams called for, but then Ádám Porogi (as Tom) must constantly slide the walls into position. And watch the stereotypes at the beginning: Jack Daniel’s, Lucky Strikes, and country music! How American can we get? Like the music choices, the outcome is mixed. Rozi Lovas’s reactions and handicap are too exaggerated in the first half, but she shines in her scene with Daniel Viktor Nagy, who is excellent as the gentleman caller. By using a device from Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Tom must grow increasingly drunk as he narrates, only to sober up suddenly for his final weepy speech. Adél Kováts creates a very clear character for Amanda, but comes off as a verbal tyrant who will not let anyone else speak. There are fine elements in this production. With more time and experience, the performers might strike the right balance. March 26

Rózsavölgyi Szalon (Rose Valley Salon)

Audience members, mostly older or upwardly-mobile, happily throw down 5,000 forints per ticket and then even more on pricey drinks and snacks for the patina of class in this venue on the upper floor of the Rózsavölgyi Music Store. This is buffet theatre, and not exactly edgy. Rather, the vibe is intimate and safe.

Rosmersholm [Rosmer Manor]  This staging of Ibsen’s masterpiece of political reform, stern morality, and wild romanticism is strictly by the book. Béla Fesztbaum and Annamária Láng get to showcase their unique chemistry (last brilliantly on display as kissing cousins in Vígszínház’s production of August: Osage County from 2009) with solid support from József Gabronka, Vince Zrinyi-Gál, and Andor Lukáts. (I’ve missed you, Andor!) Still, Béla seems overstretched as both star and director. The production lacks a visual character, and a model of the house (tossed in just before the last act) is sadly un-integrated. Alas, Erzsébet Kútvölgyi badly fumbles the genre-bending ending, which has the potential of transforming the melodrama into an eerie ghost story. March 20

RS9 Színház (RS9 Theater)

Budapest’s nitty-gritty home for fringe and independent theatre is right in the center of town, either in the basement space (with accompanying bar) at 9 Rumbach Sebestyén Street or in the Vállai Kert space (named after the late actor Péter Vállai) just across the road.

Tizenegyes kórterem [Hospital Room 11]  A very promising play written by newcomer Tamás Tóth tackles the familiar trope of the mental patient who has an enlightening and potentially dangerous effect on his fellow inmates. Seemingly set in modern times and in a French asylum, the show benefits from committed performances by László Kassai (as the head psychiatrist) and Gábor Jaszberényi (as the young man who believes he is St. Martin). March 1

Végkép [Parting Shot]  A divorced couple reunites after 10 years to arrange the sale of their jointly-owned property and are surprised to meet each other’s new lover. Director Rita Csáki adapted the show from a German movie, which we can feel. At times, it is a very intimate theatre experience, but there is a lack of focus and tension. Ultimately, the actresses prove better than the actors at fleshing out their roles. March 2, 3

Többszörös orgazmus [Multiple Orgasms]  In this long-standing crowd-pleaser by the Anarchista Company, director Ferenc Sebő, Jr., takes an instructional guidebook to the world of sexual swingers and develops a series of wild sketches with his fine ensemble of very game actors. You may not approve of the lifestyle on display or buy into the swinger philosophy, but you are guaranteed some hearty belly laughs. March 5

Egy doktorkisasszony napójegyzetei [A Young Woman Doctor’s Diary Entries]  I am revising my original review of this production, because it has matured well. The base material by Milán Füst is brilliant with infinitely complicated human relations that practically defy the limits of the theatrical medium. The actors take risks, throwing themselves wholeheartedly into the World War I milieu. Still, the final impression can be baffling. Take some Hungarian friends and argue far into the night about what you have seen. March 9, 24

Egy perccel tovább [One Minute More]  Gábor Jászberényi and Zsófia Kondákor play out variations on the emotional life of a couple, but despite their commitment, it is a 75-minute trip to nowhere. March 9, 21

De mi lett a nővel? [But What Became of the Woman?]  Much in the style of Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged), three Hungarian actors romp their way through nine related short stories by Chekhov. Their spirit is infectious, and they capture the master’s bizarre humor, often balanced on the razor’s edge of tragedy. Initially, they explore characters too self-centered to recognize other people’s pain, before evoking the legendary actress referred to in the title, an elusive and ultimately unattainable object of desire. March 13, 30

Folyóügy [Case in Progress]  A clever set and lively stage movement brighten up Braun Barna’s cabaret-like vignettes of Hungarian reality. There are plenty of laughs of recognition, not a terrible amount of depth, and at least one troubling stereotype. Stand-outs in the cast are Katalin Merai and Gábor Jaszberényi. March 17

Trip  In this play, written and directed by Imre Baksa, two heterosexual couples engage in lies, infidelity, and drug use, unaware how close they are to emotional hell. The production blends comedy, tragedy, and absurdity, as well as effective live vocalization (music courtesy of Zoltán Friedenthal) and trips into an alternate fairy-tale reality. Despite some troublingly negative female tropes, the experience is stunningly one-of-a-kind, and the cast is incredibly game. March 18, 19

Woyzeck  The Anyaszínház Company makes some bold moves with Büchner’s chilling, disturbing, unfinished classic, and part of the thrill is watching how many of their gambles pay off. The eye-popping direction makes up for some of the flat acting. March 30

Spirit Színház (Spirit Theater)

When you enter Spirit Színház (near Elvis Presley Park just north of Margaret Bridge on the Buda side), you are confronted with an aquarium, then a long hall with a coat check, exposed brick, books for sale, a buffet, a confusing mix of decorations, and live piano music. Audience members line up well before they are allowed into the nondescript studio space upstairs, and with reason. There is practically no hope of a good view of the acting space if you sit anywhere behind the fourth row.

Bernarda Alba háza [House of Bernarda Alba]  This classic play about sexual repression by Frederico Garcia Lorca is sensational; yet, all the elements here – the set, costumes, staging, and characterizations – fall a bit below the mark, not quite capturing the claustrophobia, hysteria, and menace of the original. The sound effects are particularly ill-advised. That said, the performances are heartfelt, and the story holds our attention for the duration (90 minutes without a break). Overall, it has the quality of an exceptionally good amateur performance – quite moving for the initiated, but none too revealing if you go in cold. March 18

Stúdió K (Studio K)

A rettentő görög hős [The Fearsome Greek Hero]  Stúdió K has a long tradition of brilliant puppet shows for children, and this rendering of the exploits of Theseus is certainly one of them. It is a great introduction to these tales from Greek mythology, and young theatergoers relish the scenes of stylized violence. March 3

Szkéné Színház (Szkéné Theater)

Caligula helytartója [Caligula’s Deputy]  Transylvanian playwright János Székely’s drama (set in Ancient Roman times, but with parallels to despotic Communist rule) is a modern classic. It receives a fine production here with thoughtful (and by no means boring) direction by Rémusz Szikszai and a fine turn by Gábor Nagypál in the title role. March 3

I. Erzsébet [Elizabeth I] Modern English playwright Paul Foster revisits the history books and gives us a burlesque-style romp, providing some delightful off-the-wall sketches, but also some off-putting stereotypes and a heavy-handed conclusion (warning us of the evils and potential resurgence of Fascism). Although he was acclaimed for his lead role in drag, I found Tamás Fodor’s performance overrated. Far more entertaining were Péter Bercsényi (as Mary Queen of Scots) and Gergő Kaszás (as Catherine de Medici). March 11

A nagy füzet [The Notebook]  Deploying a bizarre mix of elements – offbeat casting, dance, and strange use of food as props – this adaptation of Ágota Kristóf’s bleak World War II novel is remarkably stimulating with a hypnotic final tableau. Just be familiar with the story beforehand. The actors deliver chunks of prose at top speed. March 16

Bányavíz [Mine Water]  The final installment of Csaba Székely’s trilogy about modern life for Hungarians in Transylvania is the least successful of the three. While the portrayal of trapped lives is heartfelt (and Andrea Bozó is particularly good as the dotty older sister), the core relationship between the priest and his adopted son is not credible. March 24

Anyám orra [My Mother’s Nose]  Like some of Béla Pintér’s pieces, this exploration of moral insanity is arguably a trip to nowhere. Still, it is a thrilling and imaginative ride, and the final tableau is a knock-out. Undeniably memorable! March 28, 29, 30, 31

Trafó House of Contemporary Arts

Kálvária lakópark [Calvary Housing Estate] To be honest, I do not completely understand Rozi Székely's first staged work. Still, it has a unique way of see-sawing between naturalism and absurdity, and it shows plenty of promise. When the heroine (Niké Kurta) inherits an apartment from her estranged father, who died under odd circumstances, she welcomes it as a chance for freedom, but then her mother (Júlia Nyakó) plans to invade the flat with her enigmatic lover (Kálmán Varju). The humor is off-beat, and the best at delivering it is the playwright herself, who appears briefly in the first scene. Overall, Kálmán Varju inhabits most seamlessly this uncannily funny, disturbing, and memorable world. March 18

Turay Ida Színház (Ida Turay Theater)

A medve nem játék! [Bears Are No Game!]  Perhaps the only reason to see this show is if you wish to understand the góbé stereotype of the Székely ethnic group (Hungarian speakers living in the most eastern region of Transylvania). It also represents a throw-back to folk theatre traditions, but as Csaba Székely’s modern dramas assure us, this is nostalgia for a way of life that has passed or never existed at all. Despite the off-color nature of the sketches, the spirit of this show is staunchly conservative. Traditional folk costumes are preserved along with old-fashioned gender roles – laconic men drink in the kocsma, and the suffering wives toil all day long. Even the Playboy that one character reads is outdated. There is a smattering of song and dance, and Ádám Boros is a clever dancer and narrator. (His delivery, reminiscent of stand-up comedy, owes plenty to raconteur András Berecz.) Still, these strained and hackneyed gags mostly serve to reinforce the prejudices of the relatively older audience. March 20

Újszínház (New Theater)

Bizánc [Byzantium]  The Fall of Constantinople (conquered on May 29, 1453, by Sultan Mehmed and his Ottoman army) is the setting of Ferenc Herczeg’s classical play, but director Viktor Nagy has mixed success in his attempts to make it topical. The actors deliver the long flowery speeches with appropriate passion, but they fall short of resurrecting the epic, romantic style. The best reason to see Bizánc would be out of academic interest. March 9

For a detailed review, click here.

Vígszínház (Comedy Theater)

A diktátor [The Dictator] Adapting Charlie Chaplin’s classic film may seem like a foolhardy undertaking, but for most of the first half, Enikő Eszenyi gets it right. The First World War portion is dynamite with a fantastic flying plane sequence. Nonetheless, despite several good performances (by József Wunderlich, Csenge Szilágyi, Dániel Király, and Szonja Rudolf), the second half loses steam with too many gags that do not translate well to the stage. Instead of making a point with the conclusion, the production leaves us hanging with no resolution, Central European-style. March 4, 20, 21, 30, 31

A Pál utcai fiúk [The Paul Street Boys]  It is hard to get tickets for the 2016 musical adaptation of Ferenc Molnár’s classic children’s novel, which is a lighthearted take on a two rival gangs and their battle for possession of a splendid lot, and no wonder! The cast is spirited, the direction is sharp, and the music is catchy without being disturbingly thin (which is the case for most modern musicals). The climactic stand-off is staged very symbolically before the tear-jerking finish: the martyrdom of Ernest Nemecsek for what proves to be a meaningless cause. Depressing allegory? Perhaps, but integral to the Hungarian psyche. March 5, 6, 18, 19, 22, 26

A vándorkutya [Wander Dog] Hovering on a scale of absurdity somewhere between The Bald Soprano and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, this high-concept outing by Andrea Pass does not delve too deeply into character. Rather, it flirts with Hitchcock tropes to dissect relationships that are outwardly happy, but inwardly miserable. Judit Halász is strong as the senile mother, while Renáta Tar and Zoltán Karácsonyi are delightfully over-the-top. (studio space) March 5, 13, 20

Bűn és bűnhődés [Crime and Punishment]  Director Michal Dočekal creates a unified look and a clever “crime scene” conceit for this intelligent précis of Dostoevsky’s classic novel, but practically no one in the talented cast can live up to the larger-than-life characters (possible exceptions being Zoltán Karácsonyi as Svidrigailov and Miklós H. Vecsei in his one-minute appearance as Mikolka). András Stohl evokes the Columbo side of committed police inspector Porfiry’s personality, but fails to bring out the character’s transcendent nature. Rather than soar to redemptive heights, this production remains earthbound. March 8

A Pentheszileia Program  A young college student in Kolozsvár (Cluj-Napoca) battles her demons and three generations of emotional baggage in this provocative new play, written and directed by Réka Kincses. The result is passionate, personal, and poetic, boasting an excellent performance by Csenge Szilágyi, who embodies this anti-heroine (a “man-eating” Amazon) with remarkable aplomb. The strong and highly committed supporting cast includes Zsuzsa Hullan (as the mother), Kati Lázár (as the grandmother and great-grandmother), and Gábor Hevér (as the amoral therapist). The language is challenging, but it rewards the undaunted. (studio space) March 8

For a detailed review, click here.

Liliom  Vinyánszky, Jr’s directorial debut on the main stage takes on Ferenc Molnár’s metaphysical comedy-drama-romance, which centers on the anti-hero Liliom, an amusement park worker and small-time criminal. The play is both fascinating and troubling. The director loads on the effects at the beginning: spare set, live music, motion acting, and use of walnuts as a unifying metaphor. Unfortunately, he does not follow through with most these ideas, while some of the actors’ roles are disappointingly one-note (Ákos Orosz as Ficsur and Enikő Eszenyi as Mrs.Muskát). As usual, the actress in the supporting role of Marika (Andrea Waskovics) steals the show. March 11, 12, 16

Játék a kastélyban [The Play’s the Thing]  This classic meta-theatre exercise by Ferenc Molnár is a gem, but by all means, avoid the current production in which the uneven cast tends to fumble the comedy. The leading role of Turai, the mastermind playwright, can be a tour de force for an actor, but Miklós Benedek mostly mumbles his way through it. March 13

A léggömb elrepül [The Balloon Flies Away]  Promising a carefree bill of prose, poetry, and songs by beloved early 20th-century writer Dezső Kosztolányi, this one-man-show does not disappoint us. It may take a strong command of Hungarian to understand the text, but as Béla Festbaum sings and narrates his way through the material, you know you are in the hands of a pro. A thoroughly charming event! (studio space) March 14

Máglya [The Pyre]  The best part of this stage adaptation of György Dragomán’s work is Olaf Altmann’s simple set, which is reminiscent of a snowy field, a children’s sandbox, and a topographical map – all at first sight. Yet, the direction by Armin Petras is clever without being brilliant. The appealing young actresses (Janka Kopek and Patricia Puzsa) are good without being great. The story of an orphaned girl adopted by her estranged grandmother in Transylvania, following the revolution in 1989, culminates in a scene of epic drama, but it is without catharsis. To borrow the title of a Béla Pintér play, the overall effect is dazzling mediocre. (studio space) March 16

Hamlet  For the first time in its long history, Vígszínház hosts the Danish prince and does so on a wondrous set that lifts, descends, rotates, lights up, shows videos, etc. Still, the dramaturgy gets a little wonky, starting off with a dues ex machine (the ghost’s appearance), but then not following through with it. (I could imagine Fortinbras appearing at the end in the same fashion, but certainly not Laertes.) Attila Vidnyánszky, Jr., brings astounding energy and physicality to his battle with this unwieldy text, but he seems to be abusing his vocal chords for the last two hours. In the second half, there is a purifying pool of water, where Hamlet and Gertrude (Enikő Börcsök) share an incestuous kiss, and where King Claudius (Géza D. Hegedűs) and Ophelia (Nóra Réti) take separate nude dips (the former flamboyantly, the latter bashfully). All in all, the message is difficult to discern. Who is this Hamlet who impersonates his mother in drag before the whole court, and who has much more chemistry with the Player King (Károly Hajduk) than with Ophelia? He begins to resemble Helmut Berger’s character from the Visconti film The Damned. On the plus side, Ákos Orosz gives us an emotionally credible Laertes, and the climactic swordfight is impressive. March 27

See you at the theatre!