A Midsummer Night's Dream

A Midsummer Night's Dream was performed in December 1994 as an independent production. It was put on stage by a company organized for the occasion by a young direc­tor, Janos Csanyi.

The work itself attracted attention already at the rehearsal stage since it was produced by outstanding actors in a way distinct from the usual theatre-making in Hungary. Due to very special circumstances, the director, Janos Csanyi (who was the set designer and put new scenes into the play), has become the producer and the owner of the production, as well. This has proved to be an important expe­rience and has influenced other independent companies. The company was formed of the actors of 7 Budapest theatres. They are leading actors in their home-theatres, what is more Oberon and Titania (and, accordingly, Theseus and Hippolyta) are performed by the greatest

Hungarian stars, Janos Kulka and Dorottya Udvaros. Now the production is performed in a new theatre in Budapest ("Barka"), which was established by the local government of Jozsefvaros (a district in Budapest) on 25th June, 1996. It is supported by the state but at the same time it represents a new financial formation in the theatre structure.

Janos Csanyi was born in 1966. Between 1982-84 he was an amateur actor. From 1984 to 1986 he worked in Maricz Zsigmond Theatre in Nyregyhaza. Between 1986-90 he studied acting at the Academy of Film and Drama in the class of Gabor Zsambeki and Gabor Szokely in Budapest. From 1990 to 1991 he worked in Katona Jozsef Theatre, Budapest. In 1991 the local government of Sopron entrusts him with preparing the foundation of Pettefi Theatre that was to work with a permanent company. From 1991 to 1996 he worked as a free-lance actor, director and writer. From 1996 Janos Csanyi has been the director of a new theatre called «Barka Theatrical and Arts Centre».