With the opening of the e Great Forest Open Air Theatre visitors to Debrecen can enjoy 20 theater performances at the including 10 productions of 8 guest companies, 9 performances of the Csokonai Theater and a premiere.
The genre of performances goes from classical and contemporary, but visitors can enjoy Hungarian and foreign comedy, farce, cabaret, contemporary ballet, folk dance, mystery pieces and even musicals.
The 9 literary performances include Oscar (Thália Theater), Testosterone ( Csokonai Theater), The Blond Hurricane (Játékszín), Marriage Lesson for Advance Couples – Part 2. (Central Theater), Unmatched Couple – Part 2. (Madách Theater), Purple Acacia (Szigliget Theater), Separation walls (Orlai Production Office)
5 musical performances include The Paul Street Boys (Csokonai Theater), The Wizard of Oz (Csokonai Theater ) and The Passion of Csíksomlyó (a joint production of the National Theater and the Hungarian National Dance Ensemble)
2 dance performances include My Land (Recirquel Company) , Fire Lily (Great Forest Open Air Theatre)
4 opera include The Csardas Queen (Csokonai Theater) and Operaliget Csokonai Theater).
Details of the productions of interest to non-Hungarian speakers:
June 22nd, 2021 ( rainy day: June 23rd) – Recirquel Company | MY LAND
The legendary Recirquel’s new circus performance of unparalleled beauty for one night on the star-roofed stage of Debrecen!. The performance My Land is directed by Bence Vági and it features seven world-class foreign guest artists who are combining contemporary dance with theater and circus art to portray the roots of humanity, the eternal connection between man and motherland in an illusory space in the heart of the Great Forest.
July 7-8th, 2021 (rainy day: July 9th) – Csokonai Theater | The Csardas Queen
The Csardas Queen of Imre Kálmán the most popular and played operetta of all time. It is said to be a great play even without music, as a very exciting family drama unfolds in front of the viewer. However, popular melodies are added to the piece. The Kodály Philharmonic Orchestra in Debrecen and the Choir of the Csokonai Theater will participate in this unique play.
August 9-10th, 2021 (rainy day: August 11th) – Csokonai Theater | Operaliget
9 August – Whether it’s a night date for secret lovers or the extraordinary life of smugglers, opera literature brings many special encounters to the scene. Every encounter triggers a storm of emotions in singers, musicians and spectators alike. Members and guests of the Csokonai Theater Company will perform scenes from Carmen, the Bajazzos, the Bohemian Life and the Barber of Seville, among others, for all those who wish to be part of a virtuoso opera selection. Let’s meet at stage of the Great Forest Open Air Theatre
Music director of OperaLiget: conductor János Ács; contributing partner: the Kodály Philharmonic
10 August – The selection of the Csokonai Theater gathers the most beautiful and popular choral works of opera literature from the Bánk bán to the Troubadour Gypsy Choir. Visitors can hear a series of uplifting, soul-catching works under the open sky in the interpretation of the Choir of the Csokonai Theater.
Music director of OperaLiget: conductor János Ács; contributing partner: the Kodály Philharmonic
August 13th, 2021 (rainy day: August 14th) – The Passion of Csíksomlyó (a joint production of the National Theater and the Hungarian National Dance Ensemble)
The Passion of Csíksomlyó is about the foundations of the Christian faith and draws attention to the values of European Christian culture. It is an unforgettable interpretation of biblical history by the Budapest National Theater and the Hungarian National Dance Ensemble. It will arrive in Debrecen, Kossuth Square, on 13 August.
September 9th 2021 (rainy day: September 10th) Great Forest Open Air Theatre | Fire Lily -(premiere, Hungarian title: Tűzliliom)
It is Wass Albert’s highly successful novel entitled The Witch of Funtinel in the brand new dance stage version of the Debrecen Folk Ensemble. The mystical dance play tells the mysterious story of Nuca, the Transylvanian fairy-witch’s adulthood and parallel awakening to her tragic fate, with the participation of a group of about 70 people from the Folk Ensemble and the Bürkös band. Fire Lily, the most spectacular dance theater premiere of the 2021 Great Forest Open Air Theatre.
Last summer, the 70th anniversary of opening the Great Forest Open Air Theatre and the start of the open-air theater traditions in Debrecen was celebrated. The first and only permanent, built outdoor stage in Debrecen, the Great Forest Open Air Theatre, opened its doors for the first time around 70 years ago, in June 1950 with Zoltán Kodály’s song Székelyfonó.
Last year the County Prima Prize winner Debrecen Folk Ensemble also celebrated its 70th anniversary.
It is a special pleasure for the organizers that the premiere of Fire Lily which is a “dance theater” performance can take place this year.
Technical information:
Users of the Debrecen City Car can get a discounted ticket for the plays. The amount of the discount is HUF 500. Only one ticket can be purchased with one card. If you buy a ticket for two people, it can only be used for one ticket. The Debrecen card is accepted at the ticket office of the Kölcsey Center, Great Forest Open Air Theatre and at the Tourinform office.
The possibility of free transport for the public can be used before and after the performance, and even after longer performances thanks to the special timeline of tram line 1.
- In June-July, our performances typically start at 8.30 pm (exact start times is displayed on the organizer’s website)
- In August-September, performances typically start at 8 pm (exact start times is displayed on the organizer’s website)
- Ticket office of the Great Forest Open Air Theatre opens one hour before the performance
- Auditorium and buffet opes 45 minutes before performances
- Contactless credit card payment is also available in buffets
- Starting this year, the Great Forest Open Air Theatre is also a member of the Association of Outdoor Theaters.
