Every August, Nyíregyháza (Nyíregyháza) bursts with humor and creativity as the VIDOR Festival transforms the city into a spectacle of music, theater, and joy. From August 22 to 31, 2025, locals and visitors alike can dive into a whirlwind of events that have made this festival a beloved summer tradition. Movie-worthy performances, top musical acts, side-splitting plays, and unexpected moments are all ready to banish any lingering gloom.
Concerts, Drama, and Stage Magic
The festival’s vibrant lineup kicks off with the Karinthy Theater’s (Karinthy Színház) reimagining of “The Magic Chair” (“A bűvös szék”) at the Grand Stage of the Zsigmond Móricz Theater (Móricz Zsigmond Színház). Written by the legendary Frigyes Karinthy and director Tamás Olt (Olt Tamás), it’s a delightfully satirical comedy set in a patent office, where a visionary—often ignored—turns bureaucracy upside down with his strange invention. The real twist: you can’t simply sit in this chair. This two-hour play offers a sly mirror to authority, red tape, and the abuse of power, but mainly invites outright laughter. Anna Kubik (Kubik Anna) stars as the Minister, with standouts including Ernő Galló (Galló Ernő), András Mészáros (Mészáros András), Gergely Karácsony (Karácsony Gergely), and a host of magnetic performers.
Following closely is the National Theater of Pécs’s (Pécsi Nemzeti Színház) “Audiencia” (“Audience”), a one-hour, dialogue-rich drama set in a brewery—a playful nod to the favorite venues of Czech literature. On August 23, two men, a Brewmaster and the writer Ferdinand Vaněk, become ensnared in a deceptively casual chat over beer. Tension simmers as moral reflections lead to unavoidable friction and universal human questions. This punchy, insightful performance is restricted to audiences over sixteen.
On the same day, a new director is ceremoniously installed at a rural cultural institution in “The Rival” (“A várományos”) by the István Örkény Theater (Örkény István Színház). Old animosities, office anxieties, and ministerial meddling come to a head in this 90-minute, no-intermission play. Families, officials, and coworkers fumble through the awkward ritual, each with their own private agenda. The ensemble cast delivers a sharp, witty commentary on bureaucracy and ambition. With direction by Tamás Ascher and a recommended age of twelve and up, intrigue and farce keep the audience guessing throughout.
Real Life, Real Laughs—And Pizza
The festival’s ability to blend humor with heartbreak shines on August 24 with “Inch by Inch” (“Centiről centire”) by the Rózsavölgyi Salon Arts & Café (Rózsavölgyi Szalon Arts & Café). Maureen, a compulsive eater in her forties, drowns her sorrows in pizza, convinced that tomato sauce is the best cure for loneliness. Just as she’s at her lowest, a blind date set up by her meddlesome but loving sister offers her one last shot at romance. Her would-be Romeo, Joe, is charmingly awkward; her sister Sheila and husband Kyle have their own issues. The foursome inch forward, step by step, through bad habits and tangled feelings, all while trying to carve out happiness. Kata Dobó (Dobó Kata) leads a strong cast, under the direction of Áron Őze (Őze Áron), for audiences aged twelve and up.
Parenting, Parody, and Pure Absurdity
If you’re looking for a true playground drama, “Springy Ladybird” (“Rugós Katica”) at Bencs Villa should not be missed. Two dads—one flustered from a failed football move, the other struggling to detach his daughter from a playground toy—bond over their shared confusion, which just might mirror the chaotic world outside. Directed by Péter Forgács (Forgács Péter), the performance includes a post-show chat with the creators, blurring the lines between children’s play and adult society to hilarious effect.
Meanwhile, at the Grand Stage, the Győr National Theater (Győri Nemzeti Színház) brings farcical energy with “The Idiot” (“A hülyéje”), adapted by Kornél Hamvai (Hamvai Kornél) and directed by András Pataki (Pataki András). Feydeau’s classic absurdity gets a fresh spark, as characters interpret, misinterpret, cheat, and backstab—all in pursuit of excitement. The cast, including Norbert Bródy (Bródy Norbert) as Vatelin and Frida Sík (Sík Frida) as Lucienne, navigates comic catastrophe to reveal just how easily one can become ridiculous when chasing pleasure.
Uplifting Hits & Parodies for the Soul
Don’t let the night end without catching Orlai Productions’ (Orlai Produkció) “Another Round for Everyone” (“Még egy kört mindenkinek”) at the open-air Rose Garden Stage (Rózsakert Szabadtéri Színpad). Inspired by the Oscar-winning Danish film, this bold play asks: are we all missing just a tiny bit of alcohol in our lives? Four teacher friends launch a wild experiment—can life’s spark be rekindled by maintaining a steady low-level buzz? Expect both euphoria and hangovers, laughter and reflection, all touched by the poignancy of letting go (or not). Milán Schruff (Schruff Milán), Attila Epres (Epres Attila), Attila Király (Király Attila), and Csaba Debreczeny (Debreczeny Csaba) deliver unforgettable performances in this 100-minute, intermission-free hit.
Then, at Bencs Villa, things take a mischievously literary turn with the parody night “Jókai and the Women” (“Jókai és a nők”). Tamás Béres (Béres Tamás) and his team delve into the spicy tales behind the legendary Hungarian writer Mór Jókai, with nothing off-limits—not even his juiciest rumors!
Festival Vibes Everywhere
The VIDOR Festival 2025 proves that laughter, wit, and a bit of honest self-reflection are the secret ingredients for an unforgettable end-of-summer celebration. Whether you crave biting satire or heartwarming comedies, musically-charged nights or parodic deep-dives into literary greats, the city of Nyíregyháza (Nyíregyháza) is where the country comes not just to smile, but to roar with laughter. Book your tickets, plan your stay, and prepare your funny bone—it’s going to be a wild ride.
