Aldridge Placed in National-Patriotic Rhetoric
Aldridge Placed in National-Patriotic Rhetoric

Hungarian Celebrations of Ira Aldridge

Summary/Abstract: During the spring of 1853 Ira Aldridge (1807–1867) performed 14 times on the stage of the Na-tional Theatre from Pest. He arrived first with his small company and played with great success. He returned later that year on his own, then again in 1858. The present study examines the effects of his performances in Hungary in the context of the theatrical world of the neo-absolutist period, with special regard to cultural and political aspects related to Aldridge’s Shylock interpretations and his Hungarian connections and relations. The analysis surveys Ira Aldridge’s Hungarian relations through interpreting documents about various social events (balls, banquettes) held on the occasion of his performances. Both his performances and the celebrations following these were regarded as potential sources of danger by the Habsburg Government. Therefore, Ira Aldridge’s success in Hungary needs to be interpreted by taking into account not only his role as one of the greatest interpreters of Shakespeare’s work, but also the specific strategies of resistance which characterized the theatre-going Hungarian public; this way new dimensions can be added to Shakespeare’s reception in Hungary.

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