Keep on exploring Hungary

15.08.2017

NucKids 2017 tour is carrying on. We have already captivated one Hungarian city. In Paksa, the center of Hungary’s nuclear industry, the musical Just a Summer Rain was a blast! Now it’s off to the next city of this amazing European country. Residents of Kalocsa will be the next to see our nuclear performance.

 Kalocsa is a small but famous town. Here is the second archbishop’s residence after Esztergom. Many influential politicians, diplomats and military leaders started their careers here. But Kalocsa is also known for traditional handicrafts and paprika. Kalocsa is the main producer of the Hungarian national seasoning. It is widely believed that only in these places red paprika gets its perfect flavor and aroma. Grown elsewhere it’s not that appreciated. It is impossible to imagine Hungarian cuisine without this savory-sweet spice.

 Kalocsa became another chance to see the real Europe for the project participants. This city is just full of famous European toy-like buildings, which can be observed both in Budapest (the capital of Hungary) and in Amsterdam, Prague and other famous cities. Unique architecture and atmosphere of peace and tranquility prevailed in Kalocsa. And when our loud, noisy and cheerful kids came here, it was clear right away – we will rock here. And so, in fact, we did.

 The first challenge our nuclear artists faced with was the the size of the theater venue. The stage in the town of Kalocsa was not designed for the scale of the performance that the NucKids project team prepared. It was just a small concert hall. The kids had to adapt the musical to this venue, adjust the scenery and, in fact, re-create the whole performance. This was, perhaps, the main difficulty. If taking into account how many sets, costumes, props and the artists themselves were involved, one can only marvel at the work that the kids have done.

“The premiere in Kalocsa went well. The city was beautiful, it is sad that we didn’t get to see it up close and detailed. But we came here, first of all, to perform the show, so this task was a priority. Anyway despite the fact that the audience was very kind to us (they even sang along with us to the final song), the performance was not without failures. The main obstacle was the small stage. Just imagine, one scenery goes off the stage, into the corridor. Then other props are taken out of this corridor, first backstage, and then on to the stage itself. And it all has to be fit into a small rearrangement, which should last no more than 20 seconds. It was quite a struggle!”

Vitaly Korolev, 15 years old from Udomlya

 Before performing on stage in Kalocsa, the kids had a very good rest. They had an extra opportunity to walk around the Hungarian Paks, swim in the pool and visit the museum. Our artists, as they say, arranged themselves a day off. And for the project teachers it was very important that all the kids were ready to impress a new audience at the premiere in Kalocsa. For example, for vocal teacher Elena Ustimenko the most important is that the singers kept their voices and did not lose everything they had gained during the rehearsal period. Thankfully, the project participants did not fail and were fully equipped for the performance.

“At the premiere in Kalocsa, the children did 100% of their job. They were great. Despite the fact that the hall was small, the performance was played wonderfully. Main voices sounded perfect. The audio engineers arranged the microphones well and the girls themselves were also in great shape. Both Ilona, who sings the mom’s song, and Lera, who sings Galya’s song, by the fifth performance have already fully grow into the role. This has only benefited them, and now the musical acts sound really great!”

Elena Ustimenko,

Vocal teacher

The premiere in Kalocsa has been performed. And that, unfortunately, is the end of our tour abroad. There is a long and difficult flight to Moscow ahead, where the final show of the musical Just a Summer Rain will take place. The participants of the NucKids 2017 already feel that the last milestone is left. Wait for us, Moscow! We are on the way!

Lev Suslov,

Specially for nuckids.ru