The play The Sixth Coffin by István Csurka will not be performed at the Új Színház, Budapest mayor István Tarlós announced on Tuesday.
He said the theatre’s artistic director György Dörner had notified him of his decision earlier in the day.
Tarlós stressed that Dörner decided against putting the play on stage after the mayor had expressed his opinion on the play.
Instead, the theatre will put on another play by Csurka on a different topic.
Tarlós ignored the advice of a panel of experts late last year and instead appointed Dörner to run the theatre, with the assistance of Csurka. The playwright died in February.
His play presents Jews as responsible for Hungary’s dismemberment in the Treaty of Trianon.
Last week the theatre described the production as of vital importance.
Zsolt Pozsgai, who was to direct the production, told Magyar Hírlap that the management of the theatre respects Tarlós’ views.
Another play by Csurka, entitled Megmaradni (“To Survive”) is now advertised on a poster on the facade of the theatre.
Pozsgai described it as a ruthlessly tough play about the fate of ethnic Hungarians in Transylvania. It was banned after two performances during the Kádár era.
It has not been ruled out that The Sixth Coffin will be staged at a later date, “in a less hysterical public atmosphere,” Magyar Hírlap writes.
