My friends Brian and Aleda came to town last week with Brian's parents. The last time they visited in 2009, I took them to another English language play, "Entertaining Mr. Sloan." By chance, I received an invitation from "Hangover" author Marianne Powell on Facebook and decided to take my house guests. Spinoza's small backroom theatre was packed and seating uncomfortable, but I had the same complaint about the Erkel Opera House two weeks ago. And good for them, I hear the second performance also played to a full house!

As the play began, I was concerned about the dialogue. Three 30-somethings living in Budapest, add some pretty foreign women, a Hungarian guy, and English teaching into the mix and the stage was literary set for for an evening of cliches and everything, as expats, we complain about every day. However, although the story used this as a starting point, the approach and situations were made to seem fresh. The acting was good, the dialogue flowed well, and I was left with a couple nagging questions at the end to chew over with friends at the pub afterwards. 

It is worth checking out this new English theatre. The next performances (May 11, 12) will be hosted by the Művelődési Szint (MÜSZI) in the old Corvin Aruhaz Building at Blaha Lujza ter. For more information, see Budapest Secret Theatre or the Facebook event page.