Krisztián Kiliti: “Hosszú is not a heroic figure”

On the open-air stage of Oradea Fortress, the Lilliput Company of Szigligeti Theatre will present the well-known musical adaptation of Géza Radványi's world-famous film Somewhere in Europe, on 10 September. The male protagonist of the play, Hosszú, is played by Krisztián Kiliti.

You almost played at our theatre once, did you know that?

Yes, I remember. András Sz?ke-Kavinszki, the former director of the company, recommended me for the production of The Wonder Deer. I was very enthusiastic because I had been accepted to the acting major at the university that very year. Then it turned out differently. But this situation is proof that if something has to happen in life, it will happen sooner or later.

Did you know where you were going?

I already knew some of my colleagues, Viktor Szabó J., Vivi Vári, Tekla Benczi from the University, including the director Csaba Györfi. However, we hadn't had the opportunity to work together before, so it was both very surprising and yet a pleasant feeling when he asked me to work with him. I'm still getting to know the rest of the company, but I think we've already had some nice meetings. They are very open, direct, and ‘funny' people. I feel comfortable among them.

You have a degree in directing and acting (you are now in your final year of directing), can you or should you choose between the two?

I don't think you necessarily "have" to choose. Although recently directing has been more dominant in my professional life. Both require different energies, a different sort of attention. I usually say that I, personally, as a director, need to experience what is happening on stage from time to time. It allows me to be authentic and to find my way to the actors I work with.

What does Somewhere in Europe mean to you, what is its relevance today?

For me, Somewhere in Europe is both nostalgia and discovery. As a teenager in the Dal-Ma Art Association in Veszprém, as a student of Adél Völler, I often saw the play, it was performed several times at the end-of-school-year concerts, so I knew some of the songs, they were in my ears already. Now, many years later, it has had a different effect on me. I think this play is about courage. It's about whether we dare to face our fears, whether we can take them on and whether we have the spirit to overcome them.

How will your Hosszú be formed?

 I trust that he will be human. Hosszú is not a heroic figure. He's just in a situation, he can't make any other choice but to be on top of things. What we have most in common right now is that we both "want to arrive" - whatever that means. Hosszú longs for a HOME, with all capital letters, and for that, he needs a companion, friends, and a calm environment. Also, like him, I like the company of people younger than me. I like to think that I get along with them very well.

 

The musical is performed under an agreement with Proscenium Copyright Agency Ltd.