More Than a Season Opener: Trojka Explores New Paths

More Than a Season Opener: Trojka Explores New Paths

On September 6, Trojka opened its new season at the Textilgyár in Óbuda with its Brunch & Art event, offering a glimpse into how the company envisions the future of independent theatre. During the unique afternoon combining gastronomy and multiple art forms, members of the company met with audience members, supporters and potential partners to discuss new possibilities for collaboration.

One of the key messages of Trojka’s Brunch & Art was that the company does not intend to build its future projects solely on grant funding. Trojka is seeking long-term partnerships with companies, professional organisations and cultural institutions in which the artistic and business sectors can create mutual value.

Founded in 2013 under the artistic direction of Attila Soós, the Trojka Theatre Company operates as an independent creative workshop dedicated to personal reinterpretations of both classical and contemporary stories. Its productions place particular emphasis on the unity of acting, visual expression, movement and music, as well as on intimacy. Trojka is now entering a new creative era: its journey will be carried forward by actors who have been part of the company’s core group of artists for many years. While preserving the artistic approach developed over the past decade, they are also opening towards new collaborations, artists and genres. For Trojka, independence is not merely a question of financing or organisational structure. It represents artistic freedom: the freedom to experiment, explore new forms and create encounters between different artistic disciplines.

Brunch & Art brought this philosophy beyond the stage. The event functioned simultaneously as an artistic programme, a professional gathering and the introduction of a new operating model. Trojka is not looking for one-off sponsorships, but for partnerships in which corporate and artistic participants can work together to create visible, meaningful value.

An important point of reference in this approach is the philosophy represented by Art is Business, which encourages dialogue and cooperation between the arts and the for-profit sector. Trojka’s aim is to move beyond a model in which cultural financing is treated solely as a question of financial support: joint projects and knowledge-sharing can create entirely new opportunities. One concrete example is the developing partnership with Gasztroszínház, bringing theatrical and gastronomic experiences together.

The programme itself reflected this interdisciplinary way of thinking. The exhibition featured works by Évi Sárközi, Péter Bárnai and Dóra Nagy, while János Kulka and Péter Bárnai created works during a live painting performance, accompanied by a dance improvisation by Vilmos Lehel. Attila Till spoke with the artists about the aims and ideas behind the event. Ákos Sárközi contributed a gastronomic programme, while a discussion moderated by Nóra Réti explored Trojka’s next chapter, the possibilities of independent operation and the role of collaboration.

The event concluded with a joint concert by artists who stand in support of the importance of independent theatre. The exceptionally diverse musical programme featured Éva Bata, Márk Ember, Dorka Gryllus, János Hajnal, Zoltán Kálmánchelyi, Adrienn Réti, Kornél Simon, Tamás Szabó, Petra Ténai, Bence Vavra and Nándor Toldy, demonstrating the diversity and strength of a creative community.

One of the most important ideas expressed by Trojka at its season-opening event was that one of the independent sector’s greatest strengths lies precisely in its flexibility. It provides space to experiment with new encounters, formats and collaborations — some of which may eventually develop into new productions, new relationships with audiences, or even entirely new operating models. Brunch & Art was the first public expression of this approach in Trojka’s 2026/27 season.

Trojka’s upcoming events:

Audiences can meet the company at the Textilgyár on September 13 and at Pódium Bistro & Club on October 14 for the production Minden tekintetben – két szerelem intim közelségből (In Every Respect – Two Loves at Intimate Range), featuring Móni Balsai in one of the leading roles.

From October, Dorka Gryllus’s production SZX_MCHN, avagy vágyaink meghurcoltatása (SZX_MCHN, or the Persecution of Our Desires) returns after a two-year hiatus, this time at a new venue, Vörös Neon.

From November, Anna Karenina befejezetlen története – Love Is the Answer returns with Dorka Gryllus in the title role. As before, the production will be hosted by the KuglerArt Salon, while from this season audiences will also be able to see it at the Lóvasút Cultural and Event Centre.