Karinthy Színház

Nestled in Budapest’s 11th district, the Karinthy Színház has a captivating history. It’s a story of resilience, adaptation, and a touch of theatrical magic. The Karinthy Színház began its life in 1982, not as the established theatre we see today, but as a small theatrical enterprise known as the Hököm Színpad. This pioneering group represented a new wave in Hungarian theatre. They operated independently, without state funding. Their first performances bounced between venues like the Corvin Cinema and the Kaffka Margit High School. The Karinthy Színház’s opening performance featured works by Karinthy Ferenc and Hubay Miklós. It garnered significant attention, sparking both social and artistic buzz. However, a subsequent production at the Budapest Sportcsarnok proved to be a financial flop. This near-disaster threatened the theatre’s survival. Undeterred, the Hököm Színpad embarked on a period of nomadic performances. They graced stages at the MOM Cultural Centre and the Marczibányi tér Cultural Centre. They even toured extensively throughout rural Hungary. They brought their children’s show, “Vuk”, to countless towns. For four seasons, they found a temporary home at the Gutenberg Cultural Centre near Rákóczi Square. Here, they truly flourished. Productions like “Švejk” and “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” saw over 100 performances each. They even staged a play inspired by Karinthy himself, “The Magic Chair”. They continued their successful run of children’s shows, delighting young audiences with tales like “The Princess and the Magician” and “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves”. In 1988, the Hököm Színpad underwent a significant transformation. They adopted the name Karinthy Színház. They moved into their current home, a former cinema on Bartók Béla út. The company financed the renovations themselves, taking on substantial loans and meticulously repaying them over the years. This marked a crucial moment. Buda finally had its own independent theatre with a permanent home. The Karinthy Színház continued its commitment to showcasing Hungarian authors. They presented works by Karinthy Frigyes, Karinthy Ferenc, and Karinthy Márton. They also featured other prominent writers like Hubay Miklós, Szakonyi Károly, and Moldova György. Today, the Karinthy Színház continues to thrive, entertaining audiences with a diverse repertoire. They continue to honour the spirit of Karinthy, a blend of wit, social commentary, and pure theatrical magic.