Performances / Szigligeti Company / 2025-2026

Ede Szigligeti

Liliomfi

comedy

Translated by::

On the 111th anniversary of the opening of the Szigligeti Theatre, we proudly present the most popular comedy by our namesake playwright. According to accounts, Ede Szigligeti, a native of Nagyvárad (Oradea), wrote Liliomfi in just two afternoons in 1849. Due to the circumstances of its creation, some have called it a "product of a state of siege."

As befitting the genre, the play’s plot is full of complications: Professor Szilvai plans to secretly marry off his ward, Mariska, to his nephew. However, unbeknownst to the professor, the young man has taken up acting under the name Liliomfi and, as a "starving artist," has won Mariska’s heart. The recently widowed professor opposes the marriage, fearing for the girl’s future—ironically, from the very person he intends to marry her off to. Meanwhile, Liliomfi mistakenly believes that his uncle himself wishes to wed Mariska. With no other choice, they must run away. The ever-loyal fellow actor, Szellemfi, lends a hand in their escape and also in further entangling the already twisted plot.

Running time: 3 hours (with two intermissions)

“Szigligeti’s Liliomfi was written as pure farce, but after more than a century and a half, comedic conventions have changed. The 2011 Oradea production reshapes both the story and the text while staying true to the play’s lighthearted nature—it respects the original rather than mocking it. The ridiculous storyline is held together by Cári Tibor’s music. The casting brought two young, newly contracted actors into the lead roles: Hunyadi István, with his slender figure and messy wig, embodied the fiery enthusiasm of the wandering actor, while Pitz Melinda… well, maybe I’m too young, but I’ve never heard an actress in Várad with such a beautiful singing voice.”

“It was great to see the comedic side of the Oradea troupe. It was refreshing that there was no forced solemnity, no over-seriousness—just pure humor. It was a joy to frequently applaud the explosive energy of Csíky Ibolya, as well as Hajdu Géza, who, in this production, was spontaneously dubbed ‘Uncle Géza.’ And then there was Kardos M. Róbert—his clownish character was ridiculous, yet in a way, tragically so.”
— Orsolya Nagy, Krónika (October 25, 2011)

“This uninhibited energy burst forth from Kardos M. Róbert, Gajai Ágnes, and Szotyori József, who performed with incredible enthusiasm. Equally hilarious were the portrayals of the elder and younger Schwartz (Dimény Levente and Varga Balázs). Hunyadi István, in the title role, moved confidently on stage—he didn’t seem daunted by the challenge of being thrown into the deep end, taking the lead in the first grand production of the newly independent Hungarian theatre. He and fellow newcomer Pitz Melinda, playing Mariska, proved to be promising talents at the Friday premiere. As always, Hajdu Géza and Csíky Ibolya delivered outstanding performances, and Pál Hunor was well suited for the role of Gyuri, the waiter.”
— István Pap, erdon.ro (October 16, 2011)