Rolling in Budapest Cultural information in English … Hear everything first hand

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Co-lecture of the Culture Crew and the  Átrium-Film-Theater.

The  VAKNYUGAT  … the tiny dynamite which can exploded anytime … comes from  “The Lonesome West”  by the author Martin McDonagh and in Budapest the play is directed by Péter Gothár. The comedy and the agony comes from the same source, a fusion of hilarity and cruelty of a play of darkness. This play, I assume is acute at many societies and here at the Atrium-Film-Theater we are all social observers of  a great core story about family relationships and the troubles that often go on in families. Those troubles are exaggerated for comedic effect, but when you strip away that exaggeration there is a really true relationship that we can all relate to and in relating to it we can laugh-and-laugh at it.

The Vaknyugat is a four actors awesome play. You get hot ands cold at then same time with the features of arguing brothers Coleman and Valene, whose father has just died in a so-called shotgun accident. Valene agreed to provide a false alibi for Coleman, stating that their father’s death was accidental. In exchange, he demanded Coleman’s share of the inheritance money. Neither of the brothers show any grief or remorse at their father’s death. Valene’s only interest is in his religious ornaments,and drinking potatoe pálinka. While Coleman’s only mission is to daily attend at  funerals to eat and to collect free sausage rolls.  Father Welsh, the alcoholic parish priest, attempts to fix their relationship, but his advice goes unheard. It is revealed later in the play that Coleman had shot his father because he insulted his  new haircut.

The majesty of the Church is now reduced to the ineffectual, alcoholic priest, Father Welsh, played by Róbert Alföldi, who had a remark that said it all … „It seems God has no jurisdiction in this town. None at all.” Even living on alcohol he sees the Catholicism in Ireland is collapsing. He  sees himself as a failure, measured by the murders around him … the local policeman kills himself. Coleman kills his father.  The lack of moral perspective of the two brothers Valene, play by István Ficza and Coleman, played by Tamás Rétfalvi  sometimes funny but overall tragedies of their lives. Main fights are about who’s is what … who has any hidden potato pálinka in the house and oh, those potato chips goes as a battle of  life and death. Struggling about the newly bought stove…“the stove is mine, don’t you dare to touch it”  Fighting the whole day on everything and anything, but overall both are complete dependence on each other. Outside the brothers world there is also other kind of loneliness shown by the Kiscsilány “Girleen” played by Piroska Mészáros who is mocking and teasing, yet fond of Father Welsh, but in return he tells her his mind is set on saving the souls of Valene and Coleman. He is so depressed because of the hatred between the brothers and with a low self-esteem writes a letter begging the brothers to get along, asserting that he will stake his soul on it. Father Welsh, after writing this letter meets Kicsilány and gives the letter to pass it on to the brothers,  then after he goes to proceed to drown himself in the lake.  When Coleman and Valene read his letter they decide to reconcile themselves by confessions, as to admit the wrongs that they had secretly done to each other in the past and to forgive each other’s  sins. They both try to top their past acts and the floor get rough. They agree that fighting is actually good for them and they hope and believe that Father Welsh’s soul will be just fine.

Not only the power of the gunpowder hits the two acts. The actors create a world which in a  real world, so miserable, unbearable and as an observer your sweeten away by the superb play of the four actors.

At the moment the play is only in Hungarian language. Been told, plans are out to have it subtitled in English. Until then, surely recommend to go and see this McDonagh’s play at Budapest’s  “Átrium Film-Theater”. Why? … I believe the very talented and engaging cast of Hungarian actors performance will be memorable. and as for  the foreigners who are working, temporary staying in Hungary and have had already read the The Lonesome West play by McDonagh’s will be easily followed by the superb actors and also may be a good language practise.

 The play gives you something to think about. It’s funny at times because of how true it is.

Somehow this play rang the bell to the prehistoric times of two brothers: Cain and Abel which was so tragic. At the same time with all the funniest situations was a reminder of the 20th century’s two famous enemy figures called Tom and Jerry.  It all depends what mood we are in, what angle we look at when we watch these awesome actors of the Vaknyugat!

This update is upon the presentation play of December, 30, 2012 at the Átrium-Fim-Theater.

Was filled with joy to hear that my proposal has been heard and later implemented having English subtitle screened above the stage. Even more happy that foreigners living in Hungary now on can be familiar with the outstanding actors performance.

Address: District II. 55, Margit Blvd. Budapest

Tickets are available on the spot at the Átrium – Film – Szinház  

Local phone call: 317 9338  or 318 9844

E-mail: atriumfilmszinhaz.jegy.hu

Also at the Broadway ticket box office

Local phone call: 340 4040 or 780 0780

By order through e-mail: www.jegyplaza.hu

Updated and snaps  by Aggie Reiter