5/16 (Sat) 18:00, 5/17 (Sun) 18:00

How far is love allowed to go?

Can a future be built on feeling alone?

Merry-go-Round begins with a story rooted in Hungarian cultural history, widely known through the 1956 film of the same title, winner of the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Described by Jean Cocteau as a work in which “love resounds,” this timeless narrative returns to the stage as a lyrical drama where prose, music, and dance intertwine.

Set in a rural community, the performance confronts questions of love, marriage, land, and survival. When the happiness of young lovers collides with long-standing social order, the play asks:

Can a future be built on a moment of love,

or do convention and common sense outweigh the heart?

Director Attila Vidnyánszky portrays love as a force that drives life itself. Joined by the Hungarian National Dance Ensemble, the production transforms emotion into movement through the rhythm and energy of folk traditions such as the czardas and Transylvanian szökős. Combining powerful physicality, spoken word, and live music, Merry-go-Round celebrates love as both a personal destiny and a universal human force, resonating with audiences in Belgrade, Târgu Mureș, and at the Antalya International Theatre Festival.

The National Theatre, under the artistic direction of Attila Vidnyánszky, is Hungary’s leading state theatre, serving domestic audiences while actively engaging in international exchange. Through collaborations with artists from diverse cultural backgrounds, it has continuously expanded its artistic spectrum, earning international recognition for its creative excellence and dynamic energy.

Renowned directors such as Silviu Purcărete, Valery Fokin, Theodoros Terzopoulos, and Jan Fabre have created works on its stage. Despite representing distinct theatrical aesthetics, they have consistently praised the company’s dedication and high level of professionalism.

The theatre also strengthens its actors institutionally through international workshops and educational programs, while presenting a wide-ranging repertoire that bridges classical and contemporary works. Alongside Hungarian classics, it stages world literature including Shakespeare, Chekhov, Brecht, and Molière, fulfilling its artistic mission as a national theatre.

In recent years, the company has toured major European cities and the Middle East, achieving notable milestones such as international festival awards and performances in ancient amphitheatres.

Meanwhile, the Hungarian National Dance Ensemble stands as the country’s leading professional folk dance company. By combining the authenticity of tradition with contemporary stage language, it delivers performances marked by striking visual energy and profound emotional resonance.