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Budapest is a city with a fine
theatre tradition, even if nowadays the money to stage more elaborate productions is in short
supply. International musicals, together with long established domestic shows make up the vast
majority of what's staged here, although alternative productions (including some fairly radical
offerings from around the world) also have a firm footing at smaller, fringe venues.
Budapest's larger theatres are mostly early 20th century affairs, many of
which have been renovated over the last ten years or so. If you're interested in the architecture
just as much as the performances, then Budapest's most famous theatre - the Vigszinház
(comedy theatre) - is perhaps the best place to take in a show.
For performance listings check out Pesti Est or Pesti
Müsor, or the pages of www.theatre.org.hu for individual theatre (and theatre company) websites.
Although most are in Hungarian, it's fairly easy to work out what's on and where. Alternatively,
Budapest Week carries reviews for new shows which hit town. Curtain up for most theatres is
7-8pm, while it's obligatory - almost everywhere - to check your coat before taking your seat
(pictured above left: Thália színáz).
A list of Budapest's most popular theatres/performance venues is given
below:
VIII. Üllői út 82, Tel: 303 6505, Website: www.barka.hu, Metro: M3
Nagyvárad/M3 Klinikák
Having been founded in 1996, the Bárka Theatre has gone from strength to strength even
reaching the dizzy heights of staging Harold Pinter plays. A calendar of performances is given on
the company's website, while the theatre itself has four auditoriums and lies next to the
Orczy-kert (garden) in Józsefváros.
VI. Nagymező u. 19. Tel: 353 2172, Tel/Fax: 269 0118, Website: www.szinhaz.hu/operett, E-mail: operett@operett.hu, Metro M1
Opera
Staging everything from Fiddler on the Roof to Chicago, the Operettszínház is a
lovely Art Noveau venue just around the corner from Budapest's State Opera House. An excellent
website gives detail of what's on, while tickets can be booked by calling the theatre's box office
(number given above) or online at: www.ticketportal.hu.
Castle Theatre (Várszínház)
I. Színház út 1-3, Tel: 375 8011, Várbusz, Bus
16
Updated details to follow shortly.
Katona József Színház
V. Petőfi Sándor utca 6, Tel: 318 6599 (Katona), 318 2487
(Kamra),
Ticket Office: 266 5200 and 317 4061, Website: www.szinhaz.hu/katona, E-mail: katona@elender.hu, Metro: M3
Ferenciek tere, Bus 7, Box Office Open 10am-6pm daily
One of Budapest's most famous independent theatre companies, which also plays regularly overseas
(in cities such as Paris, Chicago and London). Comprising of over 30 actors, the theatre's Katona
auditorium - seating 400 - stages modern innovative productions, while the smaller Kamra often
focuses upon heavyweight classics by writers such as Goethe.
Erzsébet körút 31, Tel: 478 2000, Website: www.madachszinhaz.hu, E-mail: info@madachszinhaz.hu, Metro: M2
Blaha Lujza tér, Box office open: 1pm-7pm daily (Tel: 478 2041)
From May 2003, the Madách Színház will stage one of the world's most popular shows
- The Phantom of the Opera. Until then it's a mix of other popular favourites such as Cats, Les Miserables
and Fiddler on the Roof (with up to date show information made available in English, German and Hungarian on the
theatre's excellent website).
V. Gerlóczy utca 4, Tel: 317 9338, Website: www.szinhaz.hu/merlin, E-mail: merlin.szinhaz@axelero.hu, Metro: M3 Ferenciek tere/M2 Astoria, Box
office open: 10am-6pm daily (and 1 hour before curtain up)
Downtown theatre which also stages cabaret shows and classical concerts. Popular with tourists (as
performances are usually in English), the Merlin has won critical acclaim over the years for
exciting, alternative programming. A revamped restaurant adds to the pleasant atmosphere, while
plans are also afoot to stage French and German productions in the near future.
Nemzeti Színház (National Theatre)
XI. Bajor Gizi Park 1, Tel: 476 6800, 476 6801, Website: www.nemzetiszinhaz.hu, Box Office open:
Mon-Fri 1pm-7pm (1 hour before curtain up on Sat).
Replacing what was, without doubt, the ugliest theatre in Budapest (a stark 60s concrete nightmare
is putting it mildly), the brand new Nemzeti theatre stages mainly domestic and international
musicals/dramas. Much more interesting than the run-of-the-mill programming, however, are the
events that gripped Budapest over the construction of the building.
Back in 1996, the go ahead was given by the previous socialist Government for
a $75 million building in Erzsébet tér. However, following the election of Viktor
Orbán (now thankfully the ex-premier), work was halted and the square was left looking like
a bombsite (much to the chagrin of the popular city Mayor Gábor Demzsky). Plans for the new
cheaper $40 million building (which is now located way out in District IX) were then subsequently
approved. Although the finished structure - opened in March 2002 - is hugely impressive, the words
"white" and "elephant" do spring to mind (simply because of the out of town setting).
V. Váci utca 9, Tel: 266 5557, Website: www.vigszinhaz.hu (shared website), Metro: M1, M2, M3 Deák tér, Tram 47, 49, Box office open: 11am-7pm
daily
Budapest's most cliquey theatre, the Pesti Szinház stages classics from heavyweight writers
such as Shakespeare and Anton Chekhov. Despite the hustle and bustle of Váci street, you
only need to step into the Pesti's foyer to realize this place takes itself far too seriously.
VI. Nagymezö utca 22-24, Tel: 312 1280, Website: www.thalia.hu, E-mail: thalia@thalia.hu, Metro: M1 Opera,
Box Office open: 10am-6pm daily
A historic theatre that has, in recent years, enjoyed a no expense spared overhaul of stage and
public areas, including a much needed air-conditioning system. The Thália's 522 seat
auditorium is among the best in Budapest, while performances range from the challenging (such as the
Vagina Monologues) to West Side Story.
Új (New) Színház
VI. Paulay Ede u. 35. Tel: 269 6021, 269 6024, Website: www.szinhaz.hu/ujszinhaz, Metro: M1 Opera, Box Office open: 2pm-7pm daily
With two auditoriums (the Nagyszínpad and Stúdiószínpad) Budapest's
Új Színház has a wide-ranging performance schedule, with the twenty strong
company recently staging adaptations of Othello, as well as Georges Feydeau's frantic comedy
'A Flea in Her Ear' (Bolha a Fülbe). Ticket prices are very reasonable
too.
Vigszínház (Comedy Theatre)
XIII. Szent István Körút 14, Tel: 329 2340, Website: www.vigszinhaz.hu, Metro: M3 Nyugati pu, Box office open: 11am-7pm daily
Budapest's biggest and most enchanting theatre has an extensive range of programming from Woody
Allen's Play it Again Sam to Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. For those also interested in the history
of the Vigszínház, an excellent account can be found on the theatre's own website
(address as above).
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