Northern Theatre Harag György Company

The premiere is of special significance, as it marks the return of actress Lőrincz Ágnes to the Satu Mare stage — this time as an honorary member of the company. For two decades she was one of the troupe’s most respected and beloved actresses, and between 2001 and 2006 she also served as the company’s artistic director. During her leadership, director Lendvai Zoltán staged his first production in Satu Mare, later becoming a regular collaborator and almost a “resident director” of the Harag György Company.

In recent years, his name has been associated with numerous successful productions, including the comedy The Minister’s Affair, performed also during the New Year’s Eve program. Barefoot in the Park follows the tradition of year-end performances and will be staged again on December 30 and 31.

“This is an important moment in the life of our company, as this premiere marks the return of one of the long-time favorites of the Satu Mare audience, Lőrincz Ágnes. I am especially pleased that she returns as an honorary member, because she truly belongs to our artistic community. Like many generations, I myself grew up watching her performances, and many of her unforgettable roles remain vivid in my memory to this day. Although her acting career spans 35 years, we believe the two decades spent in Satu Mare remain the most defining period,” said István Bessenyei Gedő, director of the company, who awarded the actress the honorary membership during the troupe’s 70th jubilee season.

Director Lendvai Zoltán emphasizes that the new production is not a traditional farce, but a comedy filled with sensitivity, humor, and deep human emotion in which audiences can easily recognize themselves.
“The story of young newlyweds searching for their common path in the first weeks and months of marriage is a familiar experience for many spectators. Neil Simon enriches the action with such fine humor that, while we laugh at what unfolds on stage, deeply human emotions surface as well,” the director noted.

Opposites attract. But is this attraction enough for two people to remain happy despite the everyday problems of life? Is it possible to preserve the euphoria of love in marriage? If so, for how long, and what does it take? Is it important to remain true to ourselves or to try to adapt to others? What should we do when conflicts arise? Should we accept that our lives may not be exactly as we dreamed they would be? Can change be both good and bad?

These are all questions that we will all have to face sooner or later. Perhaps this is why Neil Simon's deeply human, sparklingly witty comedy is a hit with audiences around the world, conquering the world's great stages, from Broadway to the West End. Its success has been unbroken since its premiere. The play was adapted into a film in 1967, starring Robert Redford, Jane Fonda, Charles Boyer, and Mildred Natwick.
Cast: Erdei Máté, Budizsa Evelyn, Rappert-Vencz Gábor, Lőrincz Ágnes, Varga Sándor and Haiduc Denis Máté. Set design: Fornvald Gréti, costume: Szabó Anna, stage director: Szabó Ritta, prompter: Varga Kati, light: Fleisz Patrik, sound: Botos Gergő.