Theatre performers from all over the world will come together in April to compete in the 10th International Theatre Olympics.
Held in Budapest and venues across Hungary, the International Theatre Olympics offers a chance for companies from countries as far afield as Mexico and Japan to showcase their work and celebrate the art of theatre. This year’s event will also feature street theatre, dance, puppetry and exhibitions, with more to be announced.
Running from 1 April to 1 July, the 2023 Theatre Olympics celebrates the bicentenary of Imre Madách, one of Hungary’s greatest dramatists, culminating in a mass performance of his seminal work The Tragedy of Man.
Alongside a packed schedule of performances across the country, the National Theater of Hungary will present a special exhibition featuring photos, video footage, and visual design from award-winning Hungarian set-designer Mira János.
Offering a chance to see world-class performers tread the boards, there will also be a plethora of reimagined classics on display, from Ibsen’s A Doll’s House to Shakespeare’s Othello.
First held in Greece in 1995, the event was created in the spirit of the ancient Olympics by renowned directors and playwrights from around the world. Each Olympics aims to share a unique message through a slogan, with this year’s taken from Madách’s The Tragedy of Man: “O Man, strive on, strive on, have faith; and trust!”
Organisers hope the event will highlight the vital importance of the theatre in bringing us together, particularly in light of recent global events and their impact on the arts industry.
Director of National Theater, Budapest Attila Vidnyánszky said: “These times of crisis make it even more important to save our values via the imaginary art of the theatre. Culture helps maintain the bridges of dialogue that politics destroys.
The opening ceremony of the 10th International Theatre Olympics takes place on 15 April. For the full programme, and details of how to book, visit the Theatre Olympics website.
Words by Kate Relton
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