The final curtain call: Opera House bids farewell to Budapest’s Erkel Theatre

At the end of 2024, the Hungarian government officially announced its decision to create a new state-run theatre. The venue will be the Erkel Theatre building in Pope John Paul II Square (II. János Pál pápa tér), previously used by the Hungarian State Opera House. The new institution, which will aim to promote Hungarian music and dance, will be a 100% state-owned non-profit company and will start operating in January 2025.

According to Index, a budget of HUF 3.5 billion (EUR 8.4 million) has been allocated for the operation of the theatre until 2025, with additional funds to be added in subsequent years. The Opera House will receive HUF 2 billion (EUR 4.8 million) in compensation for the transfer of the theatre’s equipment and furnishings.

The Minister of National Economy will be responsible for the establishment of the company and will also be in charge of concluding the property management contracts for the Erkel building in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture. The Minister of Culture and Innovation will also exercise ownership rights over the property.

Management and aims of the new theatre

Péter Cseke, currently Director of the Katona József National Theatre in Kecskemét, and Vajk Szente, a director and actor, have been selected to lead the new musical-dance theatre. The concept for the new theatre was drawn up four years ago, but only now, under Balázs Hankó’s ministership, has the project been accelerated.

The new institution will specialise in musicals and musical productions, taking advantage of the Erkel Theatre’s previous experience in promoting the genre. Previous productions, such as The Musical Pushkin or The Heart of Stone – The Baradlay Legend, have already foreshadowed this direction. The new management’s aim is to create a cultural space that serves the needs of audiences with both modern music, dance performances and classical works.