DARABoló Returns: Zoltán Egressy’s Portugál at Bodega

Rehearsals for Zoltán Egressy’s play Portugál began with a table read at the Szigligeti Theatre in Oradea. Directed by István Hunyadi, the production is the first event in the DARABoló staged-reading series, relaunched for the 2026/27 season.

DARABoló is a series of staged readings that brings contemporary drama closer to audiences in unconventional and alternative venues. The first event, held as part of Hungarian Drama Week, presents Zoltán Egressy’s play Portugál. In December, audiences can see a staged reading of Csaba Székely’s Ten, while the series will continue with two further events in 2027.

Portugál is set in Irgács, a remote Hungarian village where the familiar lives of the regulars at the local pub are turned upside down by the unexpected arrival of a stranger. With humour and sensitivity, this bittersweet story explores desire, the longing to leave, love and the hope of escape.

The cast of the staged reading includes Barbara Máthé (Masni), Ádám Tőtős (Bece), Levente Kovács Jr. (Landlord), József Szotyori (Retek), Hunor Barabás (Priest), Gyula Kocsis (Csipesz), Réka Fodor (Woman), Lóránt Csatlós (Satan) and Noémi Tasnádi-Sáhy (Wife).

Director: István Hunyadi
Dramaturg/all-rounder: Katalin Czvikker

The performance will be preceded by a conversation with playwright Zoltán Egressy. The discussion will be moderated by members of the Újvárad editorial team. Copies of the author’s books will also be available for purchase after the event.

Admission is free, but advance registration is required. Please register using the form below:
https://forms.gle/Th68LcupRxb5aR9D7