Nagy Adrienne: Köszöntünk, színház, szép tündérvilág! Jelenetek a magyar hivatásos színjátszás 200 éves történetéből. Kiállítási kalauz (Budapest, 1990)
The bicentenary of Hungarian professional theatre is celebrated in 1990; the exhibition Welcome, Theatre, Beautiful Fairyland’ has been arranged by the Hungarian Theatre at the Bajor Gizi Theatre Museum on this occasion. The exhibition presents scenes from the past of the Hungarian theatre, by the help of pictures, posters, relics, etc. The exhibited object came from national museums, archives, and private collections. The exhibition pays particular attention to the parallel between Hungarian history and the history of the Hungarian theatre, as well as the theatrical activity of the Hungarian minority groups in surrounding countries. 1) The first room represents the period between 1790—1837 (the so-called 'reform era’), when Hungarian theatre supported the nation in its fight for the national rights, by the help of the national language. 2) The second room evokes the period following the establishing of the National Theatre, and the emergence of the original Hungarian drama and opera. 3) In the third room, the director’s office of the National Theatre and an actor-couple’s home are reconstructed. The portraits, painted by the actor Vidor Kassai, represent some of his colleagues from the National Theatre and the Népszínház (Popular Theatre), the home of the so-called ’népszínmű’ ('Volkstück’). At the turn of the century, new genres emerged, for example the operetta. Painters, favourite models were the famous stars of the period; in this room, visitors can see the comer of Lajos Márk’s studio. 4) The fourth room is dedicated to the period between the 1930s and the recent past. The atmosphere of the interwar years is evoked by drawings, small sculptures, and the interior of a cabaret. The most successful productions of the era following World War II are conjured up by drawings, paintings, posters, personal relics and stage properties. Portraits of outstanding actors, painted by their colleagues, can be seen, too. 5) Some interesting set and costume designs are on display in the corridor. 6) The histoiy of Hungarian stage photography from 1840 up to the present is illustrated by photos and other objects in another room.
