Opera and Ballet Theatres

VI. Andrássy út 22.
Tel: (+36-1) 353-0170

Budapest is proud of possessing one of the most beautiful opera houses in the world. The opening performance of the Opera House was held in the neo-Renaissance building, the jewel of the avenue, in 1884 after nine years of construction. The staircase and the auditorium of the palace, designed by one of the best architects of those days Miklós Ybl, are decorated with frescos of eminent Hungarian painters such as Bertalan Székely, Mór Thán and Károly Lotz. The first director was Ferenc Erkel, Gustav Mahler held this post for several years, and Puccini directed the premiere of two of his operas here. Renowned guest conductors include Otto Klemperer, Sergio Failoni and Lamberto Gardelli. It is still one of the best opera houses in Europe. Well worth a visit, even for those who do not especially like operas.

VI. Nagymező u. 19
Tel: (+36-1) 353-2172

An Orpheum operated in the building up to the First World War. With the outbreak of war the "palace of entertainment" was closed, the golden age of the Orpheum came to an end and with it the whole nostalgic period which later came to be called the "happy times of peace". In 1923 the Budapest Municipal Council decided that operetta should have a home of its own in the city. With the opening of the Municipal Operetta Theatre the period of "Silver Operetta" began in Budapest too and after the People's Theatre and the Király Theatre, operetta had found a new and permanent home. Throughout its history the theatre's main consideration has always been to cultivate the traditions of classical operetta and enrich them with modern artistic solutions. Together with Vienna, Budapest is the capital of operetta and visitors can see for themselves the high standard of operetta performance. From the mid-sixties the theatre's versatile company regularly presented highly successful productions of such musicals as My Fair Lady, Hello, Dolly!, West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, Funny Girl, Cabaret, La Cage aux Folles, The Sound of Music, Somewhere in Europe, and Elisabeth.

Today's Operetta Theatre was built to a design by the famous Viennese architects Fellner and Helmer in 1894. The giant stage of the auditorium faced two levels of intimate boxes arranged in a semi-circle, and a dance floor provided a sufficiently large space for the waltz, polka, mazurka and the galop. The splendid winter garden housed an excellent French restaurant and a concert coffee-house opened on the long street front. Alterations were made to the building in 1966, considerably changing the interior architecture and spaces.

Full reconstruction was carried out between 1999 and 2001. The most advanced European stage machinery was installed, the beautiful original ornamentation was restored and the earlier row of boxes in the circle were also rebuilt. Today the theatre has 917 seats and the auditorium is air-conditioned. The original objects left in the building - lamp statues, the columns supporting the circle - harmonise with the new coloured glass windows, mirrors, the period-style furnishings of the auditorium snack bar, the marble and parquetry floors. The hundred-year-old chandelier sparkles above the auditorium. The row of boxes, the gilded stucco ornamentations and the allegorical statues at the entrance all contribute to making an evening in the theatre a special event.

Drama Theatres

IX. Bajor Gizi park 1.
Tel: (+36-1) 476-6868

The construction of the National Theatre, on the basis of plans by architect Mária Siklós, began on 14 September 2000, and, after a construction process of record-breaking speed, was completed in a little over 15 months. The artists were able to take possession of the building on 2 January 2002, when rehearsals began for the inaugural performance on 15 March. In functional terms, the theatre is divided into three parts. The central part comprises the auditorium, with an almost circular ground-plan, and the studio theatre. This part is surrounded by the areas for audience members, and the U-shaped technical wing bordering the main stage. The theatre is surrounded by areas for parking. Together with the open-air stage, the area of the theatre is 20,844 square metres.

www.nemzetiszinhaz.hu/szinhaz.php

VII. Erzsébet krt. 29-33.
Tel: (+36-1) 478-2041

Since its reconstruction in 1999 the Madách Theatre has three different stages. There are 804 places in the "Great House", which is technically very well equipped and air-conditioned, so that it can also be conveniently used in the summer. Since the launch of its new program there is a different world-class musical performed for every season. Their premieres become a highly spectacular theatre event by means of the originality and quality of the pieces’ performance.

http://www.madachszinhaz.hu/

XIII. Szent István krt. 14.
Tel: (+36-1) 329-2340

Woody Allen's brilliant comedy has András Kern in the title role. Many visitors to Budapest have seen Woody Allen's Play it Again, Sam! in the cinema, as well as the cult classic Casablanca. They know the stories by heart, including the surprises and the endings, but are still interested in what the staging and acting can do to bring new life to them, and turn them into modern entertainment. For these lovers of the theater, Play it Again, Sam! will prove a real treat. Though they may not know Hungarian, the energy and comic thrust of the staging will sweep them along to the final curtain call.

Part fairy tale, part musical

In its successful eighth year, the story of wandering spirits, a lonely Radio Operator, a gangster who has been shot, and Barabbas is playing to the second generation of young people on the stage of the Vígszínház, where nearly half a million people have heard its famous songs live. The story can be followed even without a knowledge of Hungarian.

Recommended for ages 9 to 90!

Not a word is said on stage! The actors of the Vígszínház, under the direction of László Marton, bring to life the story of the at times tragic, at times comic episodes of Hungarian history through the "language" of dance, movement, and world-famous tunes. With their dancing and singing talent, the popular stars of the Vígszínház and the gifted young actors and actresses turn the evening into entertainment at its very best. The story, inspired by Ettore Scola's film Le Bal, is highly recommended to theater lovers who can't speak Hungarian, but understand the language of music and dance all the more.

Without knowing a word of Hungarian, You will understand the story perfectly, which has become part of all Western cultures, thanks not only to the book, the Walt Disney film, but also to countless previous productions world wide. Still, this production is fully original, and so are the beautiful songs, which we hope will end up on stages outside of the country as well.

VIII. Köztársaság tér 30.
Tel: (+36-1) 333-0540

II. Lövőház u. 39.
Tel: (+36-1) 438-5312

V. Zrínyi u. 5.
Tel: (+36-1) 235-5500

VI. Nagymező u. 222-24.
Tel: (+36-1) 312-4230

V. Gerlóczy u.4.
Tel: (+36-1) 317-9338

I. Corvin tér 8.
Tel: (+36-1) 201-3766

X. Népliget-Planetárium
Tel.: (+36-1) 263-0871