National Theatre - Pecs, Hungary

The theatre opened its gates on 5 October 1895 with a celebration. On this special occasion the audience could see the piece called Bánk bán by Ferenc Erkel on the stage. Pécs was the countryside theatre centre of Hungary since the middle of the 19th century, city dwellers were frequently entertained by the performance of different theatrical companies. These theatrical groups could perform at major places like the Elefántos Ház (the Elephant House) or the small stage of the Tettye district. The audience more and more required a stone theatre in the city, with a permanent theatrical company, and so the Theatre Committee of Pécs was established. One of its first actions was a call for tenders in May 1890 for the plans of the new theatre. The successful applicants were Adolf Lang and Antal Steinhardt. For the construction and implementation works the renowned architects, Felmer and Helmer were assigned. The dome is decorated by the joint work of György Kiss sculptor and the Zsolnay Porcelain Factory: the statue of the Genius. The building was open to guests for 90 years, but due to its deteriorating, in fact, finally dangerous condition it was closed on 5 June 1986 for five years. The complete renewal of the building was finished by June 1991. During the reconstruction works a rotating stage suitable for the demonstration of several scenes was created, as was an orchestra pit sinkable in four depths, also, a new lighting, audio and video system was built out, and the audience now had an air-conditioned auditorium. In 2011 the façade and the interior of the building were renovated, since then it has been open to culture-loving guests in its full glamour and with rich repertoire.