Budapest Guide
Józsefváros and Ferencváros
The National Theatre
Address: Vágóhíd utca
Website: www.nemzetiszinhaz.hu
The National Theatre (Nemzeti Szinház) resembles a Ceauşescu folly, its exterior and environs strewn with random architectural references and statuary. The Classical facade is a replica of the frontage of the original theatre on Blaha Lujza tér, torn down to build the metro in 1964 – a Communist plot to undermine Hungary's identity, many said – which condemned the company to a dump in the backstreets of Pest while the debate continued as to where this national institution should be housed. The fiasco of the "National Hole" on Erzsébet tér was followed by a scandal over the existing site, when it emerged that the minister in charge awarded the contract to the architect of his holiday home. Lacklustre performances since the theatre opened haven't helped.