When was the last time you went to the theatre? When did you last leave one laughing, crying, moved? When did you last debate a performance heatedly with friends until dawn? It was a pretty long time ago, wasn’t it? Or perhaps it hasn’t happened to you in Budapest… yet.
Of course, if you don’t speak funny, exotic and difficult-to-learn Hungarian, it’s often just plain annoying: why is the audience laughing so much, and what on earth’s going on? And of course, it’s also hard to choose what to go and see if you don’t understand the titles. Well, the guys behind the Contemporary Drama Festival, Budapest, have cast their expert eyes over the companies and performances that represent the newest, freshest voices of the Hungarian theatre scene; and they’re eager to guide you, 20th-28th November.
Over these eight days, every Hungarian performance will be delivered with English subtitles or simultaneous translation – which means you’ll get it! Productions will be wide-ranging, spanning the likes of the Panther god to children of a model kindergarten, from the Hamlet of the Romantic era to an autistic hillbilly. Have you ever seen a Greek queen in the gym? Well, here’s your chance. In public and secret locations (exciting, nem?), Hungarian theatre will be in the lime-light.
Merlin will also be hosting a range of professional discussions, staged readings, a bicycle performance (!) and the opportunity to meet the artists and have a chat with them over the yummy festival menu or a cocktail at the bar.
The festival’s International Programme offers two particular must-sees. Italian Pippo Delbono and company invite you to a shocking, magical journey, and Estonian Teater NO99 will adapt the classic Uncle Tom’s Cabin, evoking blackface comedy. One thing’s for sure – you haven’t seen anything like this before, so it’ll be worth visiting the festival for these two shows alone.
For the full programme, see www.dramafestival.hu, and become the festival’s fan on Facebook and YouTube.
Schedule and Synopses:
Kosztolányi Dezső Theatre (SR): The Sun Laughs
Nothing’s really what it seems – a modern parable of the Baker’s happiness and lazy Miller’s unhappiness (or the other way around). 80 minutes, no intermission, in Hungarian with English subtitles. Post-performance discussion.
November 20 at 8 p.m.
Bakelit Multi Art Center
1097 Budapest, Soroksári út 164.
Tickets: +36.1.347.0803 and jegy@bakelitstudio.hu
Béla Pintér and Company: Parallel Hour
There’s the world that exists, and the world that doesn’t, and between the two there’s a third: the world of probability, a world that is possible. 70 minutes, no intermission, in Hungarian with English subtitles.
November 24 at 8 p.m.
Szkéné Színház
1111 Budapest, Mûegyetem Rakpart 3., 2nd floor
Tickets: +36.30.338.3987 and jegy@pbest.hu
Márton Kiss: Stuff
A real story of the playground about those who were young in the ‘80s, experiencing the regime change as kids. A lively model-kindergarden in a somber rehearsal room. 90 minutes, in Hungarian with English synopsis provided
November 24 at 10 p.m.
Merlin Theatre, Rehearsal Space
1052 Budapest, Gerlóczy utca 4.
HOPPart Company, Jászai Mari Theatre, City Theatre / Sirály: Surpriseparty
Room theatre in a secret apartment – or what happens when stage sucks you in! A story about broken hearts, with many deceptions though. 110 minutes, no intermission, in Hungarian with English simultaneuous translation.
November 25 at 10 p.m.
Secret apartment
Tickets: +36.20.437.2125
Co-production of Bárka Theatre, Krisztián Gergye Company, MU Theatre and the Budapest Autumn Festival: Encounter
A beautiful love story, in one night, in three different versions, at the same time; amalgamating theatre, dance and dance-theatre. 110 minutes, no intermission, in Hungarian with English simultaneous translation.
November 25 at 7 p.m.
Bárka Theatre, Studio
1082 Budapest, Üllői út 82.
Tickets: +36.1.323.1978 and www.barka.hu
Compagnia Pippo Delbono (IT): This Wild Darkness (Questo buio feroce)
Fighting against and with time – timeless, yet hi-tech dance macabre from Death’s clown and his company. 70 minutes, without intermission, in Italian with English and Hungarian subtitles.
Post-performance discussion on November 26th, in English with Hungarian translation.
November 25-26 at 8 p.m.
Trafó House of Contemporary Arts
1094 Budapest, Liliom utca 41.
Tickets: +36.1.2151600 and jegy@trafo.hu
Szabadka Folk Theatre: The Stonewatcher
A sensitive interpretation of one of the most successful Hungarian plays of recent history. 150 minutes with one intermission, in Hungarian with English simultaneous translation, post-performance discussion.
November 26 at 7 p.m.
Új Színház (New Theater), István Bubik Studio
1061 Budapest, Paulay Ede utca 35.
Tickets: +36.1.351.1405 and szervezes@ujszinhaz.hu
Co-production of Maladype Theatre, Thália Theatre and Budapest Autumn Festival: Lorenzaccio
A story about a guy with a vision who wanted to stay pure. Sándor Zsótér directs the Maladype company in a characteristically unusual way. 100 minutes, no intermission, in Hungarian with English subtitles.
November 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Thália Theatre, New Studio
1065 Budapest, Nagymező utca 22-24
Tickets: +36.1.311.0635, szervezes@thalia.hu and www.maladpye.hu
Maladype Theatre and Thália Theatre: Egg (S)hell
Everyone loves to play, actors and audience alike, and being young has nothing do with age. Sándor Weöres-inspired ideas and impressions. 80 minutes without intermission, without dialogue.
November 27 at 6:30 p.m.
Thália Theatre, New Studio
1065 Budapest, Nagymező utca 22-24
Tickets: +36.1.311.0635, szervezes@thalia.hu and www.maladype.hu
Yorick Studio – Targu Mures & dramAcum – Bucharest (RO): 20/20
On 20th March, 1990, Hungarian and Romanian crowds fought eachother, and it’s 20 years after the regime change. 20/20’s a contemporary performance defying history. 130 minutes, no intermission, in Hungarian, Romanian, English and French, with English and Hungarian subtitles. Post-performance discussion.
November 27 at 8 p.m.
Bakelit Multi Art Center
1097 Budapest, Soroksári út 164.
Tickets: +36 1 347 0803 and jegy@bakelitstudio.hu
KoMa Company, ALKA.T and Orlai Productions: Phaidra Fitness
A queen falls in love with her step-son while her husband’s in coma – in a gym. 110 minutes, no intermission, in Hungarian with English subtitles.
November 28 at 8:30 p.m.
Club Fitness, Eurocenter
1032 Budapest, Bécsi út 154.
Tickets: +36.1.786.2933 and jegy@dramafestival.hu
Recycle-bicycle
Environmentally conscious fashion-performance with renowned actors and unknown stars on the stage of Merlin Theatre. 90 minutes, no intermission, in Hungarian.
November 28 at 11 p.m.
Merlin Theatre, Theatre Room
Contemporary Drama Festival
November 20-28
www.dramafestival.hu