Szigliget turns up the heat this August as the Turay Ida Theater (Turay Ida Színház) brings Katalin Vajda’s Lovers of Ancona (Anconai szerelmesek), a two-act musical comedy, to the magical Szigliget Castle Courtyard (Szigligeti Várudvar). On August 3–4, the Summer Theater in the Castle Courtyard (Várudvari Nyári Színház) doubles down on one of the summer’s biggest hit cocktails: sun, castle walls, Lake Balaton, Italian classics, and a whole lot of love. Venue: 8264 Szigliget, Kisfaludy St. 30. Curtain up over the lake, stars above, and Mediterranean melodies in the air—see you in Szigliget! Photos: 11 available. Info and phone contacts provided by the organizers.
The vibe and the setting
There’s nothing quite like a summer night show above Balaton, embraced by ancient stone and a sky full of stars. The Castle Courtyard’s atmosphere is an experience in itself, now amped up with an all-out Italian summer frenzy: romance, music, dancing, laughter, and unmistakable 1970s hits. Expect a cheeky, witty, and warmly risqué romp that winks at an era of vinyl, Vespa dreams, and open-air piazzas—wrapped up with jokes, gags, and a happy ending.
The story and the songs
Lyrics by Péter Fábri anchor this jukebox-style joyride. The scene: a small square in Ancona, southern Italy, in the 1970s. Meet Don Tomao, an aging amoroso raising his daughter alone; his free-spirited maid; the lonely innkeeper next door; a café owner infamous for terrible coffee; a Roman girl in disguise; a university boy hopelessly hunting for love; a down-on-his-luck street musician; and a fiery Hungarian girl who shakes everything up.
Cast and creators
Planned cast: Tomao Nicomaco (Zoltán Frech); Dorina, the housekeeper (Ildikó Keresztes, Máté Péter Award-winning artist); Agnese, the innkeeper (Beáta Nyírő); Lucrezio, student (Áron Sövegjártó); Viktória, Hungarian girl (Barbara Bódi); Giovanni, confectioner (Péter Valázsik); Druscilla, Roman girl (Laura Szőke); Lucia, Tomao’s daughter (Vanda Unger); Luigi del Soro, wandering musician (J. Kristóf Kurkó). Also featuring Bernadett Szuromi, Alex Tóth, Lídia Horváth. Choreography: Krisztina Borbély. Orchestration: Viktor Maráth. Set: Ilona Darvasi. Costumes: Anita Tóth. Assistant director: János Pál Vass. Director: Csaba Tasnádi, Jászai Mari Award laureate. Lyrics licensed by Proscenium Literary Agency Ltd. (Proscenium Szerzői Ügynökség Kft.).
When and where
Dates: 2026.08.03–2026.08.04. Location: Szigliget Summer Theater in the Castle Courtyard (Szigliget Várudvari Nyári Színház). Running time: 150 minutes. Summer, castle, Balaton, Italian hits, and love—don’t miss it.
