There are two types of “rides” you can take during the showcase. In the extensive programme running from the 2nd–9th of March 2013 guests will have the opportunity to see 17 shows, all with either subtitles or simultaneous interpretation. The work of theatrical universities is also represented with three shows. The intensive three day programme running from 7th–9th of March will feature three theatres: the Katona József Theatre, the National Theatre, Béla Pintér and Company and also a performance by director Kornél Mundruczó.

Showcase plus offers talks about the Hungarian art and theatrical scene, introductory discussions about theatres and companies, and meetings with the shows’ creators. Theatre lovers, journalists, critics, programmers, curators, festival directors – anyone interested in Hungarian theatre and art scene will be welcomed to the showcase.

Program:

7 March, 15h National Theatre. Hunting Scenes from Low Bavaria (dir: Róbert Alföldi)
18.30h Béla Pinter Company: Kaisers TV, Ungarn (dir. Béla Pintér)
21h Trafó: Coetzee-Mundruczo: Disgrace (dir: Kornél Mundruczó)

8 March, 12 h Kretakör Base: Presentation of current work
16 h Katona József Theater: Slobodzianek: Our Class (dir: Gábor Máté)
19 h Katona József Theater: Anamnesis (dir: Viktor Bodó)
22 h Béla Pinter Company: The 42nd Week (dir: Béla Pintér)

9 March, 15 h National Theatre: Kushner: Angels in America (dir: Andrei Serban)
20h choice of independent shows, soon announced

Follow the program at www.hungarianshowcase.com

Registration open until 15 February by clicking here

Why did we select these shows?

Dürrenmatt: King John (d.: László Bagossy), Örkény Theatre
One of Budapest’s best repertory theatres opens the showcase with a show directed by László Bagossy. The play is transformed into a political-historical farce in which every form of power is interchangeable. The show was chosen for best direction and won the award for best costumes from the Theatre Critics’ Association in 2011.

Kovács–Mohácsi–Mohácsi: We Live Once or the Sea Disappears in Nothingness Thereafter (d.: János Mohácsi), National Theatre
This powerful show by the Mohácsi Brothers was chosen to be the best performance by the Theatre Critics’ Association in 2011. It has provided innovation regarding narrative on Auschwitz and the Gulag, reflects on Hungarian history and also on contemporary Hungary. One of the best shows recently created in Hungary featuring a large, talented cast.
Gothár–Kapecz: The Nutcracker (d.: Eszter Novák), University of Film and Theatre
The university’s third year presents a comedic musical play based on the Nutcracker story, aimed at a young audience. Directed by Eszter Novák, it is a joyful show which puts young acting talent in the spotlight.

Mock (Pintér Béla Company, dir. Béla Pintér)
Béla Pintér’s show is a great, distorted image of contemporary Hungary’s social conflicts. A story of two girls growing up in an orphanage, then in a community, one of them being a Roma, the other is growing into a representative of the extreme right

King Ubu (d.: Zoltán Balázs), Maladype Theatre
This scandalous piece by Alfred Jar resonates differently after the fall of the totalitarian regimes of the past century. Director Zoltán Balázs and his four young actors are not interested in the political aspects of the play at all: instead they present a playful, energising event full of stamina.

Vinnai–Bodó: Rattledanddisappeared (d.: Viktor Bodó), Katona Jozsef Theatre
Viktor Bodó’s show based on Kafka’s The Trial is a powerful picture of an unpredictable, carnaval-esque world which unfolds simultaneously in reality and in someone’s consciousness. A multi-award winning show having undertaken international tours by the strong company of the Katona.

Brecht–Shakespeare: Coriolanus (d.: Csaba Polgár), HOPPart Company. 
The HOPPart Company began as the first music-acting class at the theatre academy, later becoming one of the most important independent groups. Their Coriolanus is a fine and metaphoric reflection of Hungary’s current political context. It was chosen to be the best independent show by the Theatre Critics’ Association in 2011.

Ghetto Sheriff (Kaposvár Theater Academy, dir. János Mohácsi)
It is a unique mission in our theatre scene to pose the following difficult question: how can we talk about the biggest trauma of the 20th century, the Holocaust? According to the renowned director, János Mohácsi and his former students we can do it with the help of Jewish jokes and songs, documents from the 30’s and 40’s, and by reciting them – in complete darkness.

Tasnádi: Phaidra Fitness (d.: István Tasnádi), Orlai Production
A fine contemporary Hungarian play in verse written and directed by István Tasnádi with an independent group of artists. Phaidra is performed in the unusual venue of a fitness room. Coming from Hungary’s unique independent producer and chosen by the critics as best new play.

The Acts of the Pitbull (written and directed by Péter Kárpáti) The Secret Company is one of the most intriguing troupes in the independent field. For the sake of experimenting with the boundary between real life and theatre they put quite a lot at risk. In The Acts of the Pit Bull, in a relaxed atmosphere and with black humour, the mythical is blended with the biggest banalities of life.

Sperr: Hunting Scenes from Low Bavaria (d.: Róbert Alföldi), National Theatre
From the strong company of the National Theater comes a powerful German drama about a gay man in the suffocating environment of a small village. Hosted in the unique venue of the National, it features superb performances by the cast. Best show in 2011 at the Hungarian National Festival.

Pintér: Kaisers TV, Ungarn (d.: Béla Pintér), Bela Pintér and Company
One of Béla Pintér’s best shows aims to rewrite the revolution of 1848 as a glorious moment in Hungarian history, commenting also on current Hungary’s revolutionary discourse. What would have happened if Hungary won against Austria? Chosen as best independent show in 2012 by the Theatre Critics’ Association and winner of several other awards.

Coetzee-Mundruczó: Disgrace (d.: Kornél Mundruczó), Proton Theatre
Film and theatre director Kornél Mundruczó is at his best now according to reviews coming from all around Europe in the trail of the newest touring show from the Proton Theatre. The famous text of the South-African novelist, J. M. Coetzee is transformed into a panoramic, strictly contemporary vision of violence, brutality, loneliness and hope.

Slobodzianek: Our Class (d.: Gábor Máté), Katona József Theatre
A fine contemporary Polish play dealing with the common history of 20th century Eastern Europe, Our Class was chosen by the critics as the best production in 2012. Performed by the strong company of the Katona, playing with shifting time and different ages, this performance is perceived as a mirror of contemporary Hungary.

Anamnesis (d.: Viktor Bodó), Katona József Theatre and Sputnik Shipping Company
Viktor Bodó's production is reflecting on the kafka-esque medical system in Hungary and Eastern-Europe. The fragmentary structure of the work pictures the funny and horrific, everyday hospital scenes on stage, combining documentary theatre with the surreal. A cooperation between Katona and the independent group Sputnik.

Pintér: The 42nd Week (d.: Béla Pintér), Béla Pintér and Company
The latest Béla Pintér show is the calvary of an obstetrician concentrating on his career, neglecting his relationships - who falls in love with an artist. The famous and respected actor Eszter Csákányi plays a guest-role in this particular Pintér show. As per some of his other noted productions, live music again becomes part of the performance.

Kushner: Angels in America (d.: Andrei Șerban), National Theatre
The respected American-Romanian director, Andrei Șerban puts the famous American play’s adaptation on an almost bare stage, focusing on the actors’ work, human values and relationships. A powerful, big stage event at the National, performed in the leading role by the artistic director of the National, Róbert Alföldi.