Georg Büchner

Leonce and Lena

Vörösmarty Theatre, Székesfehérvár

Leonce is a prince susceptive to melancholy, and as such, the biggest do-nothing in the empire. His father thinks it's time for him to get married, and to take the heavy burden of rulership off his shoulders. But Leonce, aided by his new best friend Valerio, escapes from the destiny that was meant for him. Just like Lena does, in her wedding gown. So naturally, the two meet halfway, and, without knowing anything about each other, they fall in love. The fantasize about free will, but, unwillingly, they fulfill their own destinies. They can't help but accept that everything is the way it is supposed to be.

Büchner's comedy, written at 23 years of age, was way ahead of its time. On the one hand, it is a love story, but on the other hand, it is an educational drama about the debate between idealism and realism, romanticism and rationalism. Inspired by Italian comedies as well as Shakespeare, the author plays with theatre, his characters preoccupied by the big questions of individualism, but also the problems of stage and everyday roleplaying.

The world is a stage, and we all play roles. Kings, princes, princesses, do-nothings, lovers. Some change their roles as they please, some are forced by others into one role or the other, and some are confused because they don't even know who they really are. Yet everybody needs to be somebody. What's better? To know that we don't know who we are? Or to pretend we are somebody? People think, therefore they exist. Maybe it is so. But then again, maybe it isn't.

 

 

Leonce……………………………………………………………Andrássy Máté

Lena………………………………………………………………Kiss Diána Magdolna

Valerio……………………………………………………………Pálya Pompónia

Peter………………………………………………………………Egyed Attila

Girlfriend……………………………………………………………Ballér Bianka e. h.

Rosetta……………………………………………………………Varga Lili

President……………………………………………………………...Kerkay Rita

Agents……………………………………………………….Kádas József, Kricsár Kamill

 

 

Scenography: Horváth Jenny

Dramaturgy: Bíró Bence

Video: Maruscsák Dávid

Assistent director: Kerekes Áron

Directed by: Kovács D. Dániel

 

The script was written by Kovács D. Dániel and Bíró Bence, based on the translation by Thurzó Gábor.

Special thanks to Rimóczi István.

Duration: 1 hour and 10 minutes without an interval.