'Is it possible to choose our roles in a society with freedom? A Roma-Hungarian company invites us to analyse this question. This is a radical gesture in Hungary, where it is still mostly non-Romas who talk about Romas on stage. But in this context, the young Roma performers of the Gypsy Hungarian documentary performance provoke their audience by taking on all of the stereotypes, which the majority of Hungarian society associates them with. Thus, the performance confronts its viewers with their hidden racism and even with their self-deceptive, somewhat patronizing, but in reality, also exclusionist attitude. An example being the theatrical situation itself, where we watch a socially sensitizing performance whilst considering ourselves ethical. Gypsy Hungarian is directed by Ádám Császi and it presents the traumatic stories in an entertaining way using rap, singing and movement. The script of the performance contains parts of a play by Franciska Farkas, which was published in the first European Roma drama anthology in 2019, under the editorship of the Independent Theatre Hungary.The company, called T6, consists of young Roma-Hungarians, who gathered around Kristóf Horváth (‘Bob the Actor’). Horváth has been doing significant community art work in Roma communities and schools. In 2019, Gypsy Hungarian was among the nominees for the Halász Péter Prize, which has been launched to acknowledge outstanding performances of artistic innovation.' Noémi Herczog, curator

CREDITS

Performed by Franciska Farkas, Norbert Varga, Cristopher Pászik, Edmond Oláh and Kristóf Horváth.

Written by Kristóf Horváth, Ádám Császi with the T6 ensemble
choreographed by Krisztián Gergye
directed by Ádám Császi

REVIEWS

“There are no sets, costumes, props, lights nor music. All the actors are on stage all the time which is an increasingly disadvantaged situation in theatre. Hence it is quite a feat that the stage action successfully fills the space and time, and that the actors hold our attention throughout the play. (...) The actors deliver inspired and spirited performances and, in many instances, they transcend the clichés of Gypsy Passion stories. They can provoke the audience without being offensive and yet they are brave enough to laugh at their own traumas. Such stories hardly ever have happy endings, but these characters, who we unexpectedly get so close to, are obviously on the right track. Yet I believe that this was not the only thing that put the audience in a festive mood: the enthusiastic applause was also the acknowledgement of a work of art, that is well-directed and beautifully put together.” Péter Urfi, 444.hu

“This brazenly honest performance is bound to give you a lump in the throat. The reality they live in is just one thing the actors and the creators confront us with. They make us face our prejudices against the Romas, and even the liberal narrative of ‘I’m a good person’, which we are ‘justly’ so proud of whenever we buy tickets to a performance like this, or when we don’t think that the Gypsy walking towards us is a criminal. (...) This play is a risky enterprise and there is a lot at stake here, with many potential pitfalls. Yet it works out very well, probably because the team could find a safe and secure creative context where these young people can freely speak about their often-traumatic experiences without being scarred again. Despite their grim lives and upsetting confessions, the play is much more than minority youths competing for whose trauma is more severe and it never turns into a didactic social tableau. Despite its theme, the performance remains embarrassingly enjoyable till the end.” Beatrix Kricsfalusi, revizoronline.com

T6

T6 is devoted to providing theatrical training to the disadvantaged Roma youth. Our goal is for students to pass on their knowledge and become role models. T6’s mission is to fight against the discrimination and stigma associated with the Romani people, the largest European minority. The T6 ensemble was founded by Kristóf Horváth in 2014. Ádám Császi is the film and theatre director of T6, and has taken on the duties of artistic manager as well in 2018.
Performers: Franciska Farkas, Edmond Oláh, Cristopher Pászik, Norbert Varga

TOUR

Deutsches Theater, Radar Ost, Berlin, 2019.

CO-PRODUCERS

Mentőcsónak, Átrium, ProProgressione

CONTACT

Geraldine Molnár
t6@tudashatalom.com
+36.70.339.2039