Ray Cooney and John Chapman’s Not Now, Darling returns to Budapest in 2026—riotous farce, flying garments, tangled affairs, and nonstop laughs at Veres 1 Színház’s elegant chaos.
when: 2026.02.19., Thursday, Budapest
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Ray Cooney and John Chapman’s smash-hit farce Ne most, drágám! (Not Now, Darling) storms Budapest in 2026 with multiple dates from Veres 1 Színház. Expect love triangles, mink coats, scantily clad ladies, garments flying out of windows, and pure bedlam inside London’s most elegant fur salon—all for maximum fun.
A Night of Chaos
Gilbert, the pompous co-owner of a luxury boutique, plans the conquest of his life while his wife is away. From the first beat, the machine jams: capricious lovers, mink coats plummeting to a tenth of their price, a returning wife, and even a drunken frigate captain block the path to adultery. The laughter is relentless, the pace unhinged.
Partners, Closets, and Calamities
Even Gilbert’s endlessly honest partner, Arnold, can’t keep track of the multiplying affairs, women stashed in closets, and husbands hunting for their partners. Testosterone spikes, London’s transit system mysteriously gains more women’s lingerie, and Gilbert unveils ever more absurd schemes as we rocket toward a riotous finale. Farce master Ray Cooney doesn’t spare a single rib.
Dates and Venue
2026.02.19. and 2026.03.30., Veres 1 Színház, 1032 Budapest, District 3 – Óbuda, Bécsi út 154. Organizers reserve the right to change dates and program.
2025, adrienne
Pros
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Zany British farce with nonstop laughs is easy to enjoy even if you’re new to Hungarian theater
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The Ray Cooney title is internationally known, so you’ll likely recognize the vibe even if you’ve never seen it
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Veres 1 Színház in Óbuda is a legit local venue, giving you a taste of real Budapest culture beyond the tourist core
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Tickets are usually affordable compared to U.S. stage comedies, making it a good value night out
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Easy access by public transport (tram 1/17/19, HÉV to Óbuda, nearby buses) and rideshare; driving/parking possible but not necessary
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No Hungarian skills needed to follow the slapstick and physical humor; plot is broad, gags are universal
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Compared with similar farces in London/NYC, this staging is more intimate and rowdy, so the chaos lands up close
Cons
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The performance is in Hungarian, so you’ll miss wordplay and rapid-fire punchlines without fluent language skills
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Humor leans bawdy (scantily clad antics, adultery gags), which may be awkward for kids or conservative travelers
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Óbuda isn’t the main tourist zone; first-timers may need extra navigation time, especially late at night
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Fewer show dates mean tighter planning, and schedules can shift per the organizer’s note on changes
