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

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

During the early afternoon hours on Thursday, July, 10 the Shakespeare Globe theater and the Baltic theater held a press call at the Directorate of the Castle Theater held by Director József Gedeon. Both theater members were present. The Globe members said they are on tour a European tour with the play.  Mainly have their production outdoor, at castles, at  venues at buildings, courtyards with past historical  backgrounds.

To Be or Not to Be  … that is the question, but he the To Be was the main question by asking the actors how did they decided to be Shakespearean. Simon Bubb  (playing as  Benedetto)  said, originally he got in love with the film and watched it over-and-over again and decided this is his chapter to join the Globe.  This coming evening’s play they had four months of rehearsal. This is the second time on stage at Gyula during the Shakespeare festival. The members of the St.Peterburg Baltic House Festival Theater with the world-famous Belgian Luk Perceval director of Macbeth were also present. They brought to show a twist of  Macbeth by their own interpretation. This year since May, they have had been playing three occasions Lady Macbeth and the role is played by a young very talented actress who just graduated from college.  Wasn’t present ont he day at the evening’s play, but heard it was the best performance beside the Globe theater’s production.  By-the-way …the City of Gyula can already be considered as bringing the Shakespeare’s spirit again to the City at Gyula. Unfortunately, could not entirely follow through the way at the festival. Only spent an overnight by choose to be at the London’s Globe theater’s performance at Gyula the 600 years old castle’s courtyard. Undoubtedly, was a sensation performance of having the experience to go back-in-time with the piece at this stunning open-air theater.

On Thursday, July, 10 was a hot date as the Xth Shakespeare festival started with “Ado About Nothing” directed by Max Webster. Before the play started the director József Gedeon stepped on the stage to welcome to audience having an umbrella in his hands and continued by saying: Q: „There are dark heavy cloud above us, but come rain it will not disturb the play. Then will be a break and if it will rain for 2 or 3 hours, no problem cause as  the rain will stop falling down the play will continue … we have time. Wishing an enjoyable time to the Globe’s theater performance.”  Right said the director, because by the time for the break a sprinkle of rain arrived and after cca. 20mins the windy weather blew away the stormy weather … it decided not to interfere the play and our evening… observed the celestial spirit of Shakespeare!

The prose text had crossover music between the scenes … according to Shakespeare’s time, as the actors all played on instruments.

Of course there was Hungarian subtitles, even though the “Much Ado About Nothing” Shakespeare’s well known work is basically known by the audience. Was enjoyable for the ears to follow the accent spoken in the Shakespeare era. Basically the acting was playful with lots of music, an awesome, humorous production. Here’s a short reminder in brief to ring the bell of the 3hours play … “Leonato, Governor of Messina, welcomes the return of his soldier Don Pedro and his regiment from war. But all is not peaceful within Don Pedro’s ranks. His brother, Don John, still harbors anger for past acts and seeks the opportunity for revenge. Another of his men, Benedick, has taken up a verbal war with Leonato’s niece Beatrice. Despite this, Don Pedro hopes to unite the pair in a love match. And brave Count Claudio has fallen madly in love with Hero, Leonato’s daughter, and plans to marry her. Disgruntled Don John hatches a plan for revenge against his brother and Claudio, whom he also despises. He enlists the help of his companion Borachio and bribes young Margaret, Hero’s lady in waiting, to smudge Hero’s reputation by making it look like she has taken a lover. Claudio falls for the ruse and denounces Hero at the altar. Taking pity on the devastated bride, Friar Francis hides her away and enlists the aid of Leonato, who announces that his daughter has died of grief from the proceeding. Fortunately for Hero, Borachio is arrested while drunkenly boasting of his part in the plan. With Borachio’s confession, Hero is to be exonerated. Leonato demands a public apology from Claudio, then tells him that he will allow Claudio to marry one of his nieces in Hero’s place, a niece who happens to bear a striking resemblance to Hero herself! While Don John is arrested and meets an unhappy fate, Claudio and Hero are reunited and Benedick and Beatrice have set aside their war of words long enough to wed beside them.) Source from  Shakespeare Communities.

For many in  the audience who knew this play will be hosted by the Globe theater from London did not need a close-up of the text.  Overheard during the break the foreigners and locals having English language knowledge enjoy very much the play and was thrilled to be present. Must say … not too common thing to watch an English-speaking play in Hungary at all. Unfortunately, on both sides of the stage there were subtitle screen, but for many Hungarians without English language knowledge was not at all viewed from their seats, but overall the performance was the highlight of the festival.

It was a sold-out night and for those being present most surely had received a great theatrical experience.

Thumbs up for the City of Gyula and most of all for directory for keeping on in organizing for the Shakespeare lovers  for more than ten years the Shakespeare festival.

Update and snaps Aggie Reiter