In Keszthely, at 8360 Main Square 3 (Fő tér 3), the Balaton Theatre attracts thousands of delighted season ticket holders every year as a host venue. Its concerts and performances feature many famous and acclaimed Hungarian and international bands and artists entertaining the crowds. It’s also the venue for multiple Dumaszínház comedy shows annually. Get ready for an exciting 2026 lineup packed with laughs, drama, music, and thought-provoking stories right by Lake Balaton.
Heartbeat (Szívhang) – One-Act Comedy
Anna Hárs’s Heartbeat kicks off the 2026 Spring Season on March 18 at 7 p.m., presented by the Rózsavölgyi Szalon. Spring subscriptions are $54 or $65 for three shows; single tickets are $20 or $24, on sale from February 2026 at the box office. Hédi, Abigél, and Bori are lifelong friends from their university days. They meet monthly for their book club, now discussing Madame Bovary (Bovaryné). Their interpretations of the novel mirror their own lives: Hédi is rebuilding after a messy divorce, Abigél dodges commitment, and Bori’s marriage seems perfect—until their old classmate Andris stirs things up. Old grudges, missed opportunities, mix-ups, desires, and tempers swirl around. A key goes missing, a baby arrives, and confessions spill out. Does it take more courage to say no or yes to love? This fun, heartfelt tale proves that life thrives after fifty. Starring Andrea Szulák, Anna Györgyi, Attila Epres, and Erika Sajgál. Sets by Péter Enyvvári, costumes by Nóra Cselényi, directed by Dániel Dicső. Recommended for ages 12+, 80 minutes with no intermission.
The Class Loser (Az osztály vesztese) – Youth Play
Anikó Wéber’s hit novel comes alive on March 25 at 2 p.m. via the Budaörsi Latinovits Theatre. Tickets are $9.50, 60 minutes straight through. Meet ten fifth-graders: dragon-obsessed Kristóf, shy overachiever Feri, clown Domi, and mysterious Bálint; hungry Áron, weird new kid Csaba, smelly Fanni, stuttering Anti, sweet princess Lili, and popular Balázs. For lit class, they create a Facebook profile for Kukoricza Jancsi from János vitéz (John the Valiant), sharing the login for posts with related pics, links, and quotes. Then a bound, masked figure appears on the wall labeled “The Class Loser”—who posted it? Who’s the victim? Anyone from 5.A could be the culprit or the target. Who would you swap with? Who do you resemble? Who would you befriend? This sparks big questions: How do you feel in your class, school, job, or world? Have you been bullied or bullied others? Get to know these kids and pay attention. Cast: Orsi Szőts, Kristóf Fröhlich, guest Botond Vrabecz. Adapted by Angéla Kolozsi from Wéber’s book. For ages 10+.
The Woman and the Man, Over Forty (A nő meg a férfi, ha elmúlt negyven)
This imaginative theatre show and chat on human fates and games arrives on March 26 at 6 p.m. in the Simándy Hall. Free but registration required, 90 minutes. Part of the “March: Women’s Month” series. A top actress and actor, with a moderator, riff on life past 40-45 using immortal female and male figures from Éva Janikovszky’s writings. Everyday highs and lows, role switches—like arguing with Mom, then with your kid. Laugh in the dark as if it’s others’ stories. The riotous show hooks you as laughter breaks down barriers. Janikovszky’s sharp eye shows that it’s us. Liberating giggles for life’s big questions. Starring Jászai Mari Award winner Éva Vándor (lifetime member of the Immortals Troupe), Simon Szabó, moderated by Mónika Tollár. “Verses and prose in a loving mix, bound by playfulness and cheer—an associational flow, a sharp mirror from words.” Viewer rave: “Couldn’t wipe the smile off for hours. Lifelike, humorous, self-ironic daily life. So true—recognizing ourselves didn’t hurt. Make it mandatory for all!”
Countess Marica (Marica grófnő) – Grand Operetta
The Rátonyi Róbert Theatre’s classic arrives on March 28 at 6 p.m. in the main hall. Tickets $32. Bankrupt Count Tasziló takes an estate manager job near Cluj. He hides his family’s ruin from his sister to save her dowry with his salary. Owner Countess Marica, bored of fortune hunters, invents a fiancé, Baron Zsupán Kálmán. Tasziló and his pal Késmárky Pista overhear. A Gypsy predicts love with a noble guy. Marica stays with Aunt Lotti and Liza, defying fate. Leads: Edit Vörös (Marica), Sándor Domoszlai (Tasziló), Zoltán Kiss/Szilárd Kovács (Zsupán), Elvira Haraszti (Liza), Aranka Halász (Lotti), István Gyurity/Attila Bardóczy (Dragomir), Hajni Rátonyi/Magda Kalmár/Katalin Udvarias (Cecília), László Kokas/Erik Molnár (Kudelka), Erik Molnár/Viktor Bor (Alfréd), Mária Rikker/Viktória Denk (Manja).
Relatives (Rokonok) – Two-Act Drama
Zsigmond Móricz’s key social critique from the Hevesi Sándor Várszínház arrives on March 31 at 7 p.m. Tickets $17.50/$20. Fourth in the 2025/2026 Festetics subscription. Beyond a mere pamphlet, it explores the pitfalls of power and the depths of the soul: secret loves, marriage games, family/emotional/money blackmail on the path to self-assertion and then self-ruin. Young Kopjáss István is elected prosecutor over a corrupt rival in Zsarátnok. He’s honest, with empty pockets but a head full of world-saving plans. The job brings power—and hordes of “relatives.” Twisty plot, rich characters for substantial entertainment. Premiere March 27, directed by Iván Hargitai.
Pierrot and Prigozsin in Life’s Whirl (Pierrot és Prigozsin az élet forgatagában)
Csaba Formanek’s nationwide “man-hunt” tour arrives on April 1 at 7 p.m., 110 minutes, free. Kettőspont Színház’s three shows backed by Kétfarkú Kutyapárt’s 3. Rózsa Sándor fund and venues. Philosopher-clowns seek souls. Pierrot and Prigozsin push art limits without a third member for meaning. The new show unfolds an odd love triangle, lifelong friendship, and twisty lives across places and times—inspired by Truffaut’s Jules and Jim (Jules és Jim) and Tamás Ács’s ideas. Tamás Ács (Pierrot), Csaba Formanek (Prigozsin). Written and directed by Formanek. Ages 14+.
The Theater Maker (A színházcsináló) – Drama
Thomas Bernhard’s play by Orlai Produkció on April 10 at 7 p.m. in the main hall. Sold out. Second Spring subscription show. Nation’s Actor Bruscon (Róbert Alföldi) arrives with a small troupe. Everything bugs him at the new spot. And only p
