Comedy Theatre of Budapest
The Comedy Theatre of Budapest is a theatre in Budapest. Starting in the turn of the 19th and 20th century as an opposition to the conservative National Theatre, it became a pioneer institution of Hungarian drama, and one of the oldest theatres of the city still in operation.The building
The VĂgszĂnház was designed by architects Ferdinand Fellner and Hermann Helmer who worked on over 47 state-of-the-art theatre buildings around Europe. Its construction was financed by the tripartite ownership consisting of Count István Keglevich, the writer Ferenc SzĂ©csi, and local businessman Gábor Faludi. I The destined area was a swampland before, but in the next few years it developed into the bourgeois LipĂłtváros district. The construction started in 1895 and lasted for one year, finishing on 1 May 1896. With 3 main tracts: the stage, including the flies; the lower seating tract; and the entry hall; the building exemplifies late historicism, featuring large sizes, an elevated driveway and baroque decorations, often using golden coloring. As a distinct feature from contemporary theatres, the VĂgszĂnház featured three rows of box seats, large corridors and public areas supported by several wide stairs to answer the call of rising social life in the rapidly developing Budapest.History
MĂłr DitrĂłi was the first director, coming from Kolozsvár. He also brought his company of young actors, who were unknown to the Budapest audience at the time. They quickly created a unique and modern repertoire differing from the era's classical theatre, that featured both French comedies, contemporary Hungarian, and foreign dramas. The VĂgszĂnház provided starting ground and home for several of the biggest names of the theatrical world from the turn of the century, like Gyula Csortos, Lili Darvas, Lili Muráti, Artur Somlay, Klári Tolnay or Gyula Kabos.
In the last days of World War II, Jan 1 1945 the theatre was hit by bombshells, so the company moved to the Radius Movie Theatre in the NagymezĹ‘ Street. The repairs began under the supervision of Oszkár Kaufmann. Along with other similar artistic institution, VĂgszĂnház was nationalized in 1949. It reopened in 1951 under the name Theatre of the People's Army. Regaining its original name in 1960, VĂgszĂnház became the main center of contemporary drama again, showing plays from Hungarian authors like Gábor ThurzĂł, Gyula IllyĂ©s, István Ă–rkĂ©ny, or classical 20th century authors like Arthur Miller or Friedrich DĂĽrrenmatt. In 1973 they premiered the popular KĂ©pzelt riport egy amerikai popfesztiválrĂłl, resulting in several other musical productions under the supervision of Gábor Presser. The building underwent significant repairs in 1994.
With an average of 350.000 tickets sold each year, VĂgszĂnház is still one of the most successful theatrical venues in Budapest.Pesti SzĂnház
Pesti SzĂnház Theatre, the chamber theater of VĂgszĂnház, is located in the 5th district. Its auditorium’s capacity is 538 persons.
Pesti SzĂnház Theatre was built in 1840, based on the plans of architect JĂłzsef Hild. Now the building is protected by the law of National Monuments Inspectorate. Initially there was an elegant coffee house with marble columns in the tract opens to the AranykĂ©z street. The upper floors originally accommodated private apartments, but these were rebuilt for suites of Hotel National. In 1902 a new reconstruction program began and the premises of Cinema Corso occupied the ground floor.
In 1936–37 the building was reconstructed again and the auditorium of the Corso Cinema was expanded. In World War II almost the whole building was destroyed. The restoration started only in 1945 and some years later the cinema was renamed to Bartók Hall.
From 1967 Pesti SzĂnház Theatre is the chamber theatre of VĂgszĂnház with the same company. Its a venue for plays with a more intimate atmosphere. The Pesti SzĂnház Theatre also has several English and American successes, musicals and children-plays to its credit. The building was renovated in 2009 in a modern style.
