A theatrical journey into a Gypsy-majority neighbourhood in Budapest

Józsefváros, otherwise known as Budapest’s 8th district, has long been one of the most multicultural boroughs in the Hungarian capital. In the early twentieth century, it was home to thousands of rural Jews who moved to Budapest and tried to make a living at the Teleki Square fruit and vegetable market. It has also long boasted a large Gypsy (Roma) population. The working class neighbourhood remains, for the most part, poverty-stricken and today attracts recent immigrants from Asia and Africa. The Hungarian musical Cigánykerék (Cartwheel), directed by György Bőhm and originally written by Béla Lakatos Szakcsi and Géza Csemer, was first performed thirty years ago. It now makes its way back to the stages of Budapest’s József Attila Színház (Attila József Theatre), having opened on October 4th, 2014. It can be seen until November 21st.

The story unfolds in an apartment building located at 12 Dankó Square, where camera crews are shooting a film about 1956 dissident Miréna Lock. The narrative weaves together the past and present, exposing the audience to the colours, sights, sounds and sexuality of this legendary and rough Budapest district.

Hungarian Free Press contributor and Budapest-based freelance photographer Beatrix Gergely gives us a visual peak into this performance.

Cigánykerék/Cartwheel: a musical at Budapest's József Attila Színház. Photo: Bea Gergely.

Cigánykerék/Cartwheel: a musical at Budapest’s József Attila Színház. Photo: Bea Gergely.

Cigánykerék/Cartwheel: a musical at Budapest's József Attila Színház. Photo: Bea Gergely.

Cigánykerék/Cartwheel: a musical at Budapest’s József Attila Színház. Photo: Bea Gergely.

Cigánykerék/Cartwheel: a musical at Budapest's József Attila Színház. Photo: Bea Gergely.

Cigánykerék/Cartwheel: a musical at Budapest’s József Attila Színház. Photo: Bea Gergely.

Cigánykerék/Cartwheel: a musical at Budapest's József Attila Színház. Photo: Bea Gergely.

Cigánykerék/Cartwheel: a musical at Budapest’s József Attila Színház. Photo: Bea Gergely.

Cigánykerék/Cartwheel: a musical at Budapest's József Attila Színház. Photo: Bea Gergely.

Cigánykerék/Cartwheel: a musical at Budapest’s József Attila Színház. Photo: Bea Gergely.

Cigánykerék/Cartwheel: a musical at Budapest's József Attila Színház. Photo: Bea Gergely.

Cigánykerék/Cartwheel: a musical at Budapest’s József Attila Színház. Photo: Bea Gergely.

Cigánykerék/Cartwheel: a musical at Budapest's József Attila Színház. Photo: Bea Gergely.

Cigánykerék/Cartwheel: a musical at Budapest’s József Attila Színház. Photo: Bea Gergely.

Cigánykerék/Cartwheel: a musical at Budapest's József Attila Színház. Photo: Bea Gergely.

Cigánykerék/Cartwheel: a musical at Budapest’s József Attila Színház. Photo: Bea Gergely.

Cigánykerék/Cartwheel: a musical at Budapest's József Attila Színház. Photo: Bea Gergely.

Cigánykerék/Cartwheel: a musical at Budapest’s József Attila Színház. Photo: Bea Gergely.

Cigánykerék/Cartwheel: a musical at Budapest's József Attila Színház. Photo: Bea Gergely.

Cigánykerék/Cartwheel: a musical at Budapest’s József Attila Színház. Photo: Bea Gergely.

Cigánykerék/Cartwheel: a musical at Budapest's József Attila Színház. Photo: Bea Gergely.

Cigánykerék/Cartwheel: a musical at Budapest’s József Attila Színház. Photo: Bea Gergely.

Cigánykerék/Cartwheel: a musical at Budapest's József Attila Színház. Photo: Bea Gergely.

Cigánykerék/Cartwheel: a musical at Budapest’s József Attila Színház. Photo: Bea Gergely.

Cigánykerék/Cartwheel: a musical at Budapest's József Attila Színház. Photo: Bea Gergely.

Cigánykerék/Cartwheel: a musical at Budapest’s József Attila Színház. Photo: Bea Gergely.

Cigánykerék/Cartwheel: a musical at Budapest's József Attila Színház. Photo: Bea Gergely.

Cigánykerék/Cartwheel: a musical at Budapest’s József Attila Színház. Photo: Bea Gergely.

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