A sharp-tongued French comedy with a philosophical edge is back in Budapest. Veres 1 Színház brings Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de La Patellière’s Hogyan nevezzelek? (What’s in a Name?) to the Vidám Színpad on Thursday, January 22, 2026. The venue sits at 1032 Budapest, Bécsi út 154. Expect an evening of laughter that pokes at everyday human foibles while nudging the audience toward bigger questions about identity, relationships, and the words we choose.
The play is a contemporary French hit for a reason: it’s fast, witty, and unafraid to wade into the petty vanities that make dinner conversations both exasperating and irresistible. It’s the kind of comedy that sparkles with smart banter and spirals—delightfully—out of control, as seemingly harmless topics unravel deep-seated truths. Veres 1 Színház has toured it to packed houses, and Budapest’s theatergoers have already made it a favorite. If you like your laughs with bite and your debates with stakes, this is your night.
When and where
The performance is set for January 22, 2026, at the Vidám Színpad in Budapest, Bécsi út 154. Doors, start time, and on-site details follow the theater’s standard schedule; organizers reserve the right to change timing or program.
What to expect from the show
Hogyan nevezzelek? puts a group of friends and family around a table and detonates a conversational bomb with a single provocation: a baby name. From there, the play unspools razor-sharp dialogue about taste, tradition, responsibility, and the invisible weight of words. It’s cheerful without being shallow, philosophical without being preachy, and ruthlessly funny about the small hypocrisies we all carry. The humor lands, the arguments sting, and the revelations feel uncomfortably familiar—in the best possible way.
Make a night of it: nearby stays
If you’re coming from out of town—or just want to linger in Óbuda—there’s a broad mix of places to stay nearby. Families and solo travelers can slip into a friendly, 20-room guesthouse beside two of Budapest’s loveliest bathing spots: Csillaghegyi Strandfürdő and Római Élményfürdő. Rooms are air-conditioned standard doubles with showers. North of downtown in a peaceful garden district, a small, cozy hotel offers comfortable twin rooms and two apartments, with private bathrooms (showers or tubs), satellite TV, and mini-fridges.
Prefer the Danube? Hungary’s only ship-shaped hotel, Holiday Beach Budapest Wellness Hotel with Sauna Park, anchors right on the river in leafy surroundings, with pool access included and Wi‑Fi free. The nearest bus stop is a three‑minute walk, and the city center is easy to reach by public transport. There’s also a quiet pension in the Római-part resort area, about 5 km from Flórián tér and 8 km from the city center, with twin rooms, showers, air conditioning, cable TV, in-house phone lines, internet access, and a drink bar. Guests get garden use, and nearby there’s tennis, shopping malls, and the endless diversions of the Római-part promenade.
Budget travelers can check into Külker Hostel in Buda’s green belt: a two‑story, 26‑room property with free parking out front—good for individual workers and couples. Further afield along the National Blue Trail, a hikers’ lodge offers 50 beds across 14 rooms—including double, six‑bed, and eight‑bed setups—plus a big communal area and a fully equipped kitchen. Up in the hills at around 1,624 feet (495 meters) elevation, an atmospheric forest school sits among old oaks and black pines, providing a cool microclimate in summer and indoor shelter for rainy‑day programs. The Márton Áron College and Special College supports Hungarian students from abroad with dorm placements and skills training across its Budapest, Debrecen, Szeged, and Pécs branches—strengthening ties while supporting Hungarian‑language studies at home or in Hungary.
Eat and drink around Óbuda
Start the day or wind down after the curtain with fresh, wholesome dishes made from natural ingredients at local spots serving breakfast through dinner. In Flórián Udvar, the 39-esek Étterme self‑service unit is the latest Óbuda outpost of a popular cafeteria chain.
On the Római-part, Hely Étterem pairs live music and inventive drinks with a sweeping Danube panorama and a garden that feels like a deep breath. The kitchen leans international with Hungarian notes, elevating classic flavors with modern techniques and quality ingredients. Nearby, a relaxed restaurant on a quiet side street seats 56 inside and adds a 30‑person terrace in summer—designed to be easygoing and welcoming for all ages.
Craving comfort? Drop in anytime for those dishes that just hit the spot—no special occasion required. At the Aquincum Hotel Budapest, the Apicius restaurant reimagines traditional Hungarian plates for a refined crowd, matched with standout wines from emblematic regions across the country. For pure nostalgia, try the Bécsiszelet Étterem (Viennese Cutlet Restaurant) on Dereglye utca, where the giant Wiener schnitzel—veal, properly so—spills over the plate.
Mediterranean moods abound elsewhere: fresh pastas, a broad grill selection, and pizzas shaped entirely by hand, plus house‑made desserts based on original Italian recipes. In the mood for abundance? Go buffet-style with all‑you‑can‑eat spreads that cover appetizers, soups, mains, and the requisite sweets—ideal for family dinners when cooking a three‑course meal on a weeknight is a fantasy.
Óbuda also has a bold new arrival: Cut & Barrel Bisztró, set inside the striking, industrial halls of the former Goldberger Textile Factory. The kitchen blends Basque and Latin American influences into a contact-cuisine menu driven by seasonal ingredients and high‑end techniques. It’s food as a community builder—dishes designed to be shared, discussed, and remembered.
One more thing
Organizers reserve the right to change the date and program. If you’re heading to Vidám Színpad for Hogyan nevezzelek? (What’s in a Name?), book early, plan dinner nearby, and clear time after the show—you’ll want to keep the conversation going.
