Page 216 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Budapest

214  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

ENTERTAINMENT IN BUDAPEST

Budapest has been known as a city of enter- Between the wars the city was as famous for
tainment since the late 19th century, when its glittering society balls as for its libertine
people would travel here from Vienna in delights. The half-century of Communist rule
search of a good time. Its nightclubs were dampened the rev elry, but since 1990 the
frequented for their exciting atmo sphere and music scene has flourished and theatres,
the beautiful girls that danced the spirited cabarets, festivals, cinemas and discotheques
csárdás and the cancan. It was said that there are all buzzing again. Budapest continues to
was nowhere else where fiddlers played such offer something for every interest, whether
heartrending music or casinos witnessed you prefer opera to jazz or horse racing to a
such staggering losses as in Budapest. football match.

Entertainment Highlights Új Színház (New Theatre) Unfortunately, entry to
Budapest has two opera houses, (see p217), which puts on Budapest’s museums is not
an orchestral concert hall at the performances in English. free, although perman ent
Liszt Academy of Music (see Film-lovers are spoilt for exhibitions are usually cheaper
p216), several other concert choice, as Budapest boasts than temporary ones.
halls including the city’s largest many cinemas (see p217).
venue, the Béla Bartók National Városliget (see pp146–7)
Concert Hall with Europe’s offers a permanent circus and
largest concert hall organ at a zoo, with bars and beer tents
Müpa Budapest (see p160). Also in the summer.
located there is the Festival A38 Ship is a music club in a
Theatre, which serves as an converted ship and Millenáris
outstanding venue for dance, is a concert venue and cultural
chamber operas, musical and centre with a varied programme,
theatrical perfor mances, and including festivals and exhibi-
concerts. Plus, there is an tions. The Budapest Arena
operetta theatre, numerous holds 12,000 spectators, and
cabarets and more than 50 stages a range of cultural events.
theatres, including the fringe. There are also a few casinos and
The greatest concentration striptease shows to enjoy as
of theatres is in district V, in part of Budapest’s nightlife.
Nagymezö utca, which has
been nicknamed “Budapest’s Lavishly staged opera at the Hungarian
Broadway”. Along this 100-m Free Entertainment State Opera (see p216)
(328-ft) stretch there are It is not difficult to find excellent,
theatres such as the Operetta free entertainment in Budapest. Buying Tickets
Theatre (see p216) and During the summer, there always Tickets for all plays and concerts
seem to be street entertainers can be purchased in advance,
and musicians wandering either at a booking office or by
around the Castle District, often telephoning the venue direct.
in elaborate period costume, Addresses and telephone
playing instruments or acting numbers are listed in the
out scenes from Hungarian directory on pages 216–17.
history. During the Budapesti The most difficult tickets to
Búcsú in June (see p63), all obtain are those for the Liszt
entertainments, from singing Academy of Music concerts,
and dancing to theatre, are as these tend to be sold
staged by the city council for many days in advance; try
free. In July, the Danube Water the website or ticket office.
Carnival offers most of its thrills Similarly, seats at opera and
without charge, and the operetta performances sell
Budapest Summer Festival, out quickly. The best way of
Budapest’s largest summer securing a seat, particularly for
festival, offers a series of events summer performances, is via
every weekend, from mid-July Rózsavölgyi Jegyiroda or
to September. Hungarian Ticket Express, which are
Actors in satirical cabaret performed in culture, handicrafts, music located right in the centre of
many theatres and folklore are celebrated. town, close to Vörösmarty tér.

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