Experience Ray Cooney and John Chapman’s Not Now, Darling in Budapest—uproarious farce, love triangles, mink coats, and mayhem at Veres 1 Színház. Limited dates, unforgettable laughs.
when: 2025.12.11., Thursday, Budapest
where: Hungary, -
Ray Cooney and John Chapman’s smash-hit comedy Not Now, Darling bursts into Budapest in a Veres 1 Színház (Veres 1 Theatre) production, serving up love triangles, mink coats, scantily clad women, and garments flying out the window. The chaos unfolds in London’s most elegant fur salon, designed purely for carefree fun.
Plot: Coats, Affairs, and Utter Chaos
One arrogant co-owner, Gilbert, plans the seduction of his life while his wife is away. But from the start, the scheme jams: temperamental lovers, fur prices slashed to a tenth, a wife who returns at the worst moment, and even a boozy frigate captain block his hopeful adultery. As events spiral, Gilbert’s endlessly decent partner, Arnold, can’t track the multiplying affairs, women stashed in closets, and husbands hunting for their partners. Testosterone spikes, London’s transport system acquires more women’s underwear, and Gilbert keeps inventing ludicrous fixes as the runaway farce barrels toward a riotous finale.
Dates, Venue, and Tickets
Ray Cooney, maestro of farce, won’t spare your ribs—expect a night you’ll remember. Performances: 2025.12.11 and 2026.01.12. Venue: Veres 1 Színház (Veres 1 Theatre), 1032 Budapest, District 3 – Óbuda, Bécsi út (Vienna Road) 154. Organizers reserve the right to change the date and program.
2025, adrienne
Pros
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Family-friendliness: Slapstick farce with door slamming and mix-ups is easy to follow and older teens may love the chaos
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International fame of the subject: Ray Cooney’s Not Now, Darling is a classic British farce known in English-speaking theater circles
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Location awareness: Budapest is a top-tier, well-known European city for U.S. tourists, with vibrant nightlife and culture
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Language needs: Even in Hungarian, farce relies on visual gags and physical comedy, so you can still enjoy the silliness without fluency
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Transport: Venue in Óbuda is reachable by metro + tram or bus, and taxis/ride‑shares are plentiful and inexpensive by U.S. standards
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Driving: Easy car access on Bécsi út with straightforward navigation and ride-hail options if you don’t want to park
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Comparison: It scratches the same itch as London/NYC bedroom farces at a fraction of the ticket price, with a local twist
- Family-friendliness: Sexual innuendo and scantily clad characters make it a poor fit for younger kids
Cons
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International fame of the subject: Outside theater fans, the title isn’t a household name in the U.S., so expectations may be fuzzy
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Language needs: Rapid-fire verbal misunderstandings are core to the humor; without Hungarian, you’ll miss many punchlines unless surtitles are provided
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Transport/Timing: Dates are limited (Dec 11, 2025 and Jan 12, 2026), and any schedule change by organizers could complicate a tight travel itinerary
