Zsolt Makai received the Zoltán Várkonyi Memorial Prize this year2023. 05. 13.
Zsolt Makai lighting designer received the Zoltán Várkonyi Memorial Prize this year
Every year the Várkonyi Prize is awarded by the company of the Vígszínház in recognition of the work of those who, although invisible to the audience, are indispensable and inevitable in the life of the theatre. The 2023 winner of the Várkonyi Award is Zsolt Makai, a lighting and dimming operator who has been a loyal member of the Vígszínház company for almost 38 years.
Zoltán Várkonyi, the legendary director of the Vígszínház, was born on 13 May 1912. His professional legacy is invaluable for the Vígszínház and the entire history of Hungarian theatre. Zoltán Várkonyi loved and respected his colleagues working behind the scenes. The Zoltán Várkonyi Memorial Award, founded by his widow Vera Szemere in 1984, is a fitting tribute to his memory. The award is given each year to the technical or administrative colleague elected by secret ballot by the staff of the Vígszínház. This year's winner is Zsolt Makai, lighting and dimming operator, who started working at the Vígszínház on 16 September 1985 and has been a loyal member of the company ever since, as for him this job has become a "lifelong love".
"I graduated as an electrician, but I found lighting work more interesting. I was at the Thalia for a year, then I came to the Vígszínház. Everyone said the Comedy was a great place, the lighting department had a great team and atmosphere. So I was very happy when Ernő Móray, the co-manager, hired me. I have been here for so long that I know almost every brick of the theatre. I feel lucky to work in such a beautiful building. I was promoted to the desk after more than ten years, working as a stage lighting technician. I love the backstage atmosphere and the performances. Our work is varied, with new pieces always being added to the repertoire. Lighting is a more interesting job than a civilian might think. We have to make sure that the lighting for the 100th performance still looks the way our lighting designer intended. A well-adjusted light can make the set more beautiful and can, for example, enhance the dramatic atmosphere. We're one of the cogs in a big wheel, and everyone's precision is needed. In this way, we are also a small part of the big stage successes. I'm as happy as if I'd won the lottery five to get this award. Thank you all very much. Although I would award it to everyone who has worked here for more than a decade." - says Zsolt Makai.
The Zoltán Várkonyi Memorial Award was presented by the Várkonyi family and Péter Rudolf at a ceremony on 12 May, after the performance of The Visit of the Old Lady.
The company of the Vígszínház would like to congratulate Zsolt Makai on this recognition!
Latest news
The Great Dictator with English subtitles at Vígszínház
The Great Dictator, Charlie Chaplin’s most influential work, is a deeply humanistic piece of cinematic art.
The Seagull with English subtitles at Vígszínház
The Seagull is a play where you can find all the pain of unrequited love, the unconditional love for theatre, the eternal seeking for happiness, the solitude and the fight against mediocrity.
The Great Gatsby with English subtitles at Vígszínház
The characters of the cult novel come to life on the stage of Vígszínház. Gatsby, a dandy boy with a mysterious past, creates a luxurious world around himself to win back the great love of his life, Daisy.
Cabaret with English subtitles at Vígszínház
Berlin. The beginning of the 1930’s. A real metropolis, where everything can happen, and so everything happens too.
Performances with English subtitles at Vígszínház
From March, performances of The Great Dictator, The Great Gatsby, Cabaret and The Seagull can be seen with English subtitles at the Vígszínház!