Actor Museum - Thália House

The memorial site for deceased theatre artists from Miskolc is located on Déryné Street, on the plot where Hungary’s first permanent theatre performing in Hungarian stood from 1823 to 1843. The professional prestige of the actor museum operating in the Thália House is highlighted by its collaboration with the Moscow Theatre Museum, while its popularity with the public is best reflected by the title “Miskolc’s Most Popular Exhibition Venue,” awarded through an online vote. The Miskolc actor museum was established in 1996 on the initiative of actor Ferenc Gyarmathy, modelled after the Bajor Gizi Actor Museum in Budapest. The building’s renovation and the museum’s creation were supported by the Council of Europe. The plans were drawn up by Csaba Bodonyi, an architect awarded the Ybl and Széchenyi Prizes, and Interplan Ltd., with the construction overseen by chief investment engineer Gábor Simon.

The museum documents and presents the history of Miskolc’s theatre and the careers of its artists to the public. The permanent exhibition, titled “This is a merry town, it will suit us well here...,” summarises the history of theatre in Miskolc from its beginnings to the present day, based on a script by theatre historian and museologist Gábor Mikita and designs by visual designer Katalin Juhász. The first section recalls the early days of theatre in Miskolc: many significant figures of 19th-century Hungarian theatre performed in Miskolc – they are commemorated by, among other things, the marble statues in the arched gateway of the classicist building. The upstairs exhibition rooms showcase the operation of Miskolc’s second permanent theatre, inaugurated in 1857.

The main hall, summarising the half-century of the nationalised theatre, evokes the world of the stage, allowing visitors to feel as if they are in a theatrical setting: the exhibition documents, photos, posters, stage designs, personal belongings, and theatre structures are displayed among stylised set elements and backdrop walls.

In addition to performances that influenced the entirety of Hungarian theatre history, personal stories are also important. Memories of Éva Ruttkai and Zoltán Latinovits meeting in Miskolc, the Latabár dynasty, Margit Dajka’s legacy, and the recollections of artists loyal to Miskolc, such as István Ábrahám and Tibor Fehér, bring unforgettable theatre evenings to life. For younger visitors, a children’s corner awaits with puppets, costumes, colouring books, and puzzles.

Alongside the continuous expansion of its collection, the institution also engages in diverse public collection activities: its temporary exhibitions evoke some of the greatest figures of Hungarian acting, and its cultural programmes cater to all age groups, from the youngest to retirees.

PLAY-ACTING-HOUSE

Workshops at the actor museum

MUSEUM MATINEE

Theatre tales, puppet-making, costume dressing-up, and family board games on Saturday mornings, or at specially arranged times for groups and large families.

STARS WITH THEIR FEET ON THE GROUND

This educational session introduces the prominent figures of travelling theatre, using period illustrations, recollections, and the poems of Sándor Petőfi. The aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of the beginnings of Hungarian and Miskolc theatre and its flourishing during the Reform Era, highlighting the role of the “nation’s labourers.”

LET’S PLAY PUPPET THEATRE!

This workshop introduces children to the fascinating world of puppet theatre, exploring various puppet techniques and their cultural history – from rod puppets to marionettes. During the 90-minute session, participants will also create their own puppets.