Hungary’s National Theatre Director Offers to Resign After Romeo and Juliet Accident

In a tragic incident during a performance of Romeo and Juliet at Hungary’s National Theatre, two actors, Júlia Szász and Otto Lajos Horváth, were injured after falling from a balcony. The director of the theatre, Attila Vidnyánszky, offered to resign following the incident, but his resignation was rejected by Hungary’s culture minister, János Csák. Both actors are currently in hospital in a serious but stable condition.
The incident occurred during the second act of the performance in Budapest, when Szász, who played Juliet, and Horváth, who performed as her father Capulet, fell from an elevated platform behind the scenery. Paramedics provided immediate medical attention, and the actors underwent surgery later. An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the accident, and further actions will be taken based on the findings.
Attila Vidnyánszky has been the director of Hungary’s National Theatre for ten years and is a close ally of Prime Minister Viktor Orban. His appointment was recently extended until 2028. Csák and Vidnyánszky visited the hospital to meet the injured actors and the doctors treating them. Csák provided an update on their conditions through an Instagram post, expressing his hopes for their speedy recovery.
Júlia Szász was scheduled to appear in upcoming National Theatre performances, while she is also known for her roles in Hungarian film productions. Otto Lajos Horváth gained popularity in the early 2000s and has acted in Hungarian films and television shows.
Romeo and Juliet, written by William Shakespeare in 1594, narrates the tragic love story of two young Italians from feuding families. The play is known for its iconic balcony scene, where Romeo and Juliet declare their love for each other and plan a secret marriage.
This incident highlights the importance of safety measures in theatrical productions and the need for thorough investigations to prevent similar accidents in the future. The rejection of Vidnyánszky’s resignation indicates that further actions might be taken to address any underlying issues that contributed to the accident. The wellbeing and recovery of the injured actors remain a priority, and the theatre community hopes for their swift return to the stage.