Heading into 2026, Keszthely’s Balaton Theatre (Balaton Színház) at 8360 Fő tér 3 is gearing up for another packed season of theater magic. This welcoming venue hosts thousands of happy season ticket holders year after year. Its concerts feature top domestic and international bands and performers wowing crowds. It’s also the go-to spot for multiple Dumaszínház comedy shows annually. Get ready for a lineup blending youth drama, heartfelt chats, operettas, classics, clowning, and rock musicals—all in one lakeside gem by Lake Balaton.
Az osztály vesztese (The Class Loser) – Youth Play
Wéber Anikó’s hit novel comes alive in this youth show from Budaörsi Latinovits Theatre (Budaörsi Latinovits Színház) on March 25 at 2 p.m. Runtime: 60 minutes straight through. Tickets: $9.50. Meet ten fifth-graders: dragon-obsessed Kristóf, tiny quiet overachiever Feri, jokester Domi, and enigmatic Bálint. Hungry Áron, weird new kid Csaba, smelly Fanni, stuttering Anti, sweet princess Lili, and popular Balázs round out the crew from class 5a. For lit class, they create a Facebook profile for Kukorica Jancsi from János vitéz (John the Valiant)—everyone knows the password and posts pics, links, and quotes tied to the story. Then a bound, masked figure pops up on the wall labeled “The Class Loser.” Who’s the perp? Who’s the victim? Anyone from 5a could be either. Which one would you swap with? Who do you resemble? Who’d you befriend? The show explores bullying, fitting in at school, work, or life. Have you been bullied? Bullied others? Cast: Szőts Orsi, Fröhlich Kristóf, Vrabecz Botond (guest). Adapted by Kolozsi Angéla from Wéber Anikó’s book. Recommended from age 10.
A nő meg a férfi, ha elmúlt negyven (The Woman and the Man Over Forty) – Imaginary Theater & Chat
On March 26 at 6 p.m. in the Simándy room, dive into this free (registration required) blend of verse, prose, playfulness, and laughs as part of “March: Women’s Month.” A stellar actress and actor, with moderator Tollár Mónika, chat with each other and the audience via immortal characters from Janikovszky Éva’s writings. They unpack life past 40-45: daily highs, lows, shifting opinions—like convincing your mom one minute, your kid the next. Laughing in the dark helps us pretend it’s not us, but Janikovszky nails it. It’s liberating hilarity for life’s big questions. Cast: Jászai Mari Award-winner Vándor Éva (eternal Halhatatlanok Társulat member), Szabó Simon. Viewer rave: Hours-long smiles afterward; lifelike, humorous, self-deprecating daily life that’s so real it doesn’t hurt to recognize ourselves. Make it mandatory! Runtime: 90 minutes.
Marica grófnő (Countess Marica) – Grand Operetta
Rátonyi Róbert Theatre (Rátonyi Róbert Színház) brings this on March 28 at 6 p.m. in the main hall. Tickets: $32. Impoverished Count Tasziló takes an estate manager job near Cluj. He hides his family’s ruin from his sister to save her dowry. Owner: stunning Countess Marica, tired of fortune hunters, invents a fiancé, Baron Zsupán Kálmán. Tasziló and pal Késmárky Pista overhear. A gypsy predicts she’ll fall for a noble guy. She stays with aunt Lotti and Liza. Stars: Vörös Edit (Marica), Domoszlai Sándor (Tasziló), Kiss Zoltán/Kovács Szilárd (Zsupán), Haraszti Elvira (Liza), Halász Aranka (Lotti), Gyurity István/Bardóczy Attila (Dragomir), Rátonyi Hajni/Kalmár Magda/Udvarias Katalin (Cecília), Kokas László/Molnár Erik (Kudelka), Molnár Erik/Bor Viktor (Alfréd), Rikker Mária/Denk Viktória (Manja).
Rokonok (Relatives) by Móricz Zsigmond – Two-Act Play
Hevesi Sándor Castle Theatre (Hevesi Sándor Várszínház) on March 31 at 7 p.m., Festetics subscription #4. Tickets: $18/$20. Iconic social critique beyond mere pamphlet: power’s pitfalls, soul depths, secret loves, marriage games, family blackmail on the path to self-assertion and then ruin. Pure-hearted young Kopjáss István is elected prosecutor over a corrupt rival in Zsarátnok. Power brings relatives old and new. Twisty plot, rich characters for hearty fun. Premiere March 27, directed by Hargitai Iván.
Pierrot és Prigozsin az élet forgatagában (Pierrot and Prigozsin in Life’s Whirl) – Philosopher-Clowns Tour
Free Kettőspont Színház on April 1 at 7 p.m., 110 minutes, age 14+. Nationwide hunt finale backed by Two-Tailed Dog Party (Kétfarkú Kutyapárt)’s fund. Clowns push art limits sans third member for meaning. Love triangle spans spaces/times, unveiling friendship and twisty lives. Inspired by Truffaut’s Jules and Jim (Jules és Jim). Pierrot: Ács Tamás; Prigozsin: Formanek Csaba. Written/directed by Formanek Csaba.
A színházcsináló (The Theatermaker) by Thomas Bernhard – Play
Sold out Orlai on April 10 at 7 p.m., Tavaszi subscription #2. Nation’s Actor Bruscon (Alföldi Róbert) gripes pre-show. Bernhard blasts Austrian/modern absurdities. It’s like theater stand-up mixing pain and bluster. Cast: Alföldi Róbert, Buza Tímea, László Lili, Németh Áron Valentin, Ficzere Béla. Adapted by Bíró Bence; set Kálmán Eszter; costumes Juristovszky Sosa; poster Csáfordi László; assistant Skrabán Judit; director Pelsőczy Réka.
Gyöngyhajú Lány (Girl with Pearl Hair) – Omega Musical
Experidance rocks May 9 at 7 p.m., starring Kóbor Léna. Tickets: $35/$40. Fairy tales for grown-ups: Young Kriszta’s coming-of-age, heartbreak, guided by night tours from Trombitás Frédi, evoking Balaton myths. A story everyone’s lived.
