Budapest Operetta Theatre director suspended amid internal investigation

Zoltán Tarr, the Minister responsible for social relations and culture, has ordered a professional and ethical internal investigation into the Budapest Operetta Theatre. As part of this measure, the theatre’s director, Atilla Kiss-B., has been suspended from his duties pending the results of the inquiry.

The decision follows numerous complaints from the theatre’s staff regarding the institution’s management, professional standards, and ethical conduct. Tensions within the company have escalated recently, with members organizing secret meetings and conducting social media protests, including boycotting certain events.

Key grievances cited by the ensemble include declining audience numbers, falling artistic quality, low wages, and a lack of dialogue with leadership. The controversy was further fueled by allegations regarding large public payments made to writer János Dénes Orbán and claims of past mismanagement of harassment cases. While the director maintains that the institution has nothing to hide and that the issues are merely differences of opinion, the ministry stated the investigation is essential to ensure transparency and employee safety.