Fast-paced comedy Rém rendes vendég arrives in Budapest’s Újszegedi Szabadtéri Színpad, blending West End buzz with Hungarian flair. A courteous couple, a surprise guest, and farcical twists delight theater lovers.
when: 2026.01.04., Sunday
where: 1066 Budapest, Teréz körút 48, VI. kerület Terézváros
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A charming, ultra-polite English couple, Peter and Debbie, befriend an American widow, Elsa, on a cruise. They swap addresses and promise visits that usually never happen—except this time, Elsa rings their doorbell. By then, the internet has told them enough about her to spark icy panic, and they’re suddenly reluctant to let her near their two teenagers. They don’t want to be rude, either. Cue a cascade of farcical twists, stirred further by a nosy, know-it-all neighbor and a meddling police sergeant.
From West End Buzz to Open-Air Stage
Fresh off a West End hit and a Budapest premiere at Játékszín, Rém rendes vendég (The Frightfully Polite Guest) lands on the Újszegedi Szabadtéri Színpad (Újszeged Open-Air Stage), bringing its sharp, fast-paced comedy to a bigger stage. The show runs 2 hours and 15 minutes with one intermission.
Creative Team and Dates
Director: Péter Cseke; Dramaturg: Ildikó Lőkös; Set/Costume: Yvette Alida Kovács; Composer: Levente Gulyás; Visuals: Dorka Cseke; Stage Manager: Monika Verebély; Prompter: Judit Kis-Kádi; Assistant Director: János Petyi. Dates: 2026.01.04, Budapest; 2026.01.09, Budapest.
2025, adrienne
Pros
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Family-friendly vibe: a fast, farcical comedy with one intermission makes it easy for teens and adults to enjoy together
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The play’s roots in a recent West End hit give it international cred, so the humor and pacing should feel familiar to U.S. visitors
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Budapest is a well-known, tourist-friendly city with tons to do before/after the show
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Minimal Hungarian needed: plot is broad and physical, and you can likely find English summaries or supertitles at larger venues
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Easy access: Budapest venues are reachable by metro/tram or taxi, and rideshares work well; driving/parking is possible but not necessary
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Short runtime (2h15 with intermission) fits neatly into an evening without wrecking your sightseeing schedule
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Comparably slick to mid-size comedies you’d see in London or New York, but typically at a much lower ticket price
- If this staging is in Hungarian without subtitles, non-speakers may miss wordplay and rapid-fire jokes
Cons
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Újszeged Open-Air Stage (if used) is less known to foreign visitors and may require extra planning vs central Budapest theaters
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Winter dates (early January) mean outdoor comfort could be an issue unless venue is indoors/heated or the schedule shifts
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U.S. travelers expecting Broadway-scale spectacle might find it more intimate and dialogue-driven than stateside blockbusters
