As my hotel was only 200 yards from Budapest’s “Opera House”:http://www.opera.hu/?lan=en it was the ideal experience for an unexpectedly wet night. So 15 minutes before the 7pm performance of the ballet, Taming of the Shrew, I bought a 11,000 HUF ticket (£27). Having established my seat was on the second row of a six-seater box, I had a few minutes to look around the plush, ornate red and gold venue. I was joined by an American mum and daughter and we had fingers crossed that the seats in front would remain empty. Their luck ran out, but I moved forward onto the front row for a perfect view.
American mum had asked whether I was familiar with the play and I had to confess I wasn’t. However, the plot was easy to follow and was both entertaining and amusing.
The interval bar was well set up with pre-poured drinks ensuring the orderly queue moved quickly so I was able to have another quick Google, to ensure I knew what was to come.
The performance ended at 9.30pm and with the hotel only a few steps away, I was soon having a nightcap in the bar.
