Debrecen’s VOKE Egyetértés Cultural Center throws open its doors in 2026 with a packed, eclectic program at 4034 Debrecen, Faraktár St. 67. Expect art exhibitions, concerts, theater, and beloved neighborhood traditions at one of the region’s longest-standing cultural landmarks. The venue prides itself on openness and high standards—and keeps that promise with comedy blockbusters, literary thrillers, candlelit concerts, operetta nights, family musicals, and a raucous farce revival.
The Wife Begins at Forty – Cracking British Comedy
Monday, March 9, 7:00 p.m. Arne Sultan, Earl Barrett, and Ray Cooney’s masterfully built British comedy, translated by Endre Beleznay, arrives with the Forum Színház’s newest laugh-out-loud production. Linda is fed up: 17 years of marriage, the English suburban routine, the big four-oh looming—and chiefly her husband, George. He’s perfectly content. Then George falls asleep during intimacy, and that’s the last straw. Linda wants quality passion, attention, love, life—and a divorce.
Their teenage son is girl-crazy, senile Granddad machine-guns war stories, best friends dish out terrible advice, and George—helped along by the bar cabinet—hatches a risky plan to rejuvenate the marriage. Set in the 1980s and played by a starry cast, it’s hilarity with heart and characters you’ll adore.
Cast: George Harper – Endre Beleznay; Linda Harper – Gerda Pikali / Bernadett Gregor; Roger Dixon – Kristóf Németh / Dániel Suhajda; Betty Dixon – Bernadett Gregor / Tímea Vanya; Bernard Harper – András Faragó / Sándor Szűcs; Leonard Harper – Zsombor Náray-Kovács / Milos Kozma / Áron Várhelyi / Dominik Kovács. Sets/Costumes: György Csík; Assistant/Prompter: Andrea Juhász; Directors: Kristóf Németh, Endre Beleznay; Producer: Kristóf Németh. Running time: 180 minutes with one intermission. Recommended 14+. Program subject to change.
Poirot’s Last Case – A Christie Classic on Stage
Wednesday, March 11, 7:00 p.m. Agatha Christie’s novel adapted by Mark Shanahan, translated by Attila Galambos, performed by Veres 1 Színház. Hercule Poirot retires to the drowsy English estate village of King’s Abbot, only to encounter two inexplicable deaths. The Scotland Yard inspector flounders, so at the family’s request, Poirot returns to the hunt—perhaps for the final time. With local physician Dr. James Sheppard at his side, the truth emerges—more shocking than you’d guess.
Cast: Hercule Poirot – Artúr Kálid; Dr. James Sheppard – P. Szilveszter Szabó; Caroline Sheppard – Enikő Zorgel; Ralph Paton – Mátyás Dósa / Béla Oláh / Ferenc Tarlós; Helen Russell – Gyöngyi Molnár / Ildikó Bacsa; Roger Ackroyd – Sándor Venyige; Flora Ackroyd – Dorka Gáspárfalvi / Szandra Holczinger; Major Hector Blunt – Dénes Száraz; Ursula Bourne – Kriszta Miklós; Parker – László Janik; Gertrude Ackroyd – Nelly Fésűs / Gyöngyi Molnár; Inspector Raglan – Tibor Pásztor. Prompter: Éva Paku; Assistant Director: Veronika Páli; Sets: György Bátonyi; Costumes: Janó Papp; Director: Kornél Simon.
Bridgerton by Candlelight
Saturday, March 14, 7:00 p.m. A swoon-worthy evening of romance and elegance: an exceptional string quartet performs hit themes from the smash Bridgerton series, inspired by classical gems and modern pop. Hundreds of candles bathe the hall in a sophisticated, romantic glow, conjuring the irresistible charm of a bygone era. Not recommended for children under 6.
Play ‘Til Dawn – Operetta and Cabaret
Wednesday, March 18, 7:00 p.m. The greatest hits of Ferenc Lehár, Imre Kálmán, and Albert Szirmai, plus cabaret sketches and comic turns—from Szenes’ wit to Countess Maritza (Marica grófnő). Expect arias and punchlines, with beloved melodies from Countess Maritza (Marica grófnő), The Csardas Princess (Csárdáskirálynő), and Miksa the Magnate (Mágnás Miska). Performing artists from Pesti Művész Színház: Zsuzsa Nyertes, Bernadett Fogarassy, Éva Czető-Fritz, Géza Egyházi, Roland Czető, Sándor Várfi.
Cinderella – Family Fairy-Tale Musical
Saturday, March 28, 10:30 a.m. A sparkling musical for all ages. Cast: Cinderella – Melinda Boda; Rozinella – Dorina Pintér; Kravália – Lilla Kecskeméti; Stepmother Krudélia – Andrea Dóka; Mihály Peták / Aunt Kornica – András Fogarassy; Prince – Kristóf Uwe Berecz; Mice – Dorina Pintér, Lilla Kecskeméti. Music: Imre Harmath; Dramaturgy/Lyrics: Balázs Bencze; Sets: G. Péter Halász; Costumes: Mária Reidinger; Director: Zsuzsa Szabó. The classic story unfolds with a magical helper, friendly animals, a breathtaking dress—and a midnight deadline. One lost shoe, and the prince is on the trail.
Heat Wave – Musical Comedy of Midlife
Saturday, March 28, 7:00 p.m. A fizzy, feel-good musical comedy about women in midlife and the unavoidable curveballs of menopause. Four friends on a train to Spain’s sunlit coast relive youthful escapades, ditch daily stress, and face both Andalusia’s heat and their own hot flashes. Characters: Frida (divorced, cleanliness-obsessed, reliant on meds), Paola (a teacher in a monotonous marriage, with body-image struggles), Carmen (an entrepreneur, voraciously sensual and life-loving), Alba (a widow, sweet, a bit naive, enthusiastic about esoterica). A charming man appears too—his role is a surprise. Cast: Enikő Détár, Nelli Fésűs, Csekka Gyebnár, Judit Ladinek, Attila Bardóczy. Director: Rita Tallós; Written by Lóránt Varga from an idea by J. Pabló Galiano; Lyrics: Csaba Csík; Choreography: Bertalan Vári; Costumes: Anikó Ungár.
The Elegance of Night – Debrecen
Monday, March 30, 7:00 p.m. Attila Csengeri, Andrea Mahó, and Gábor Kovács headline a concert that’s more than musical theater—a darkly romantic Halloween fantasy where the night seduces and the music confesses love. Under mystical lighting, legends from The Phantom of the Opera (Az Operaház Fantomja), Romeo and Juliet (Rómeó és Júlia), Cats (Macskák), and global hits flow like a longed-for embrace. Dress code: honor the night’s palette—black, white, gold, or red.
Michael Cooney’s Whose Wife Is It Anyway?!
Saturday, April 11, 3:00 p.m. Madness in two acts. Translator/Dramaturg: Albert Benedek. Revived and reworked (2018 Bánfalvy Stúdió, refreshed in 2025). Director: Csaba Horváth; Producers: HCS, Oliver W. Horvath. A London-based Hungarian, Róbert Szűcs, has had it with free money. He’s been raking in unemployment, old-age pension, sick pay, family allowance, disability benefits—and yes, free cow’s milk—plus a side hustle with nursing bras that sparks his wife’s jealousy. Afraid of being caught, he decides to ditch the illicit benefits rather than his freedom or his marriage. But shedding handouts? Easier said than done. Cast: Linda Szűcs-Swan – Iza Varga / Zsófia Kondákor; Róbert Szűcs – Ferenc Hujber; Paweł Duda – Imre Harmath.
