József Katona Theatre, Theatre building in Kecskemét, Hungary

The József Katona Theatre is an eclectic building with pale grey walls and a steep red-tiled roof topped by a slender finial. Its central facade rises in a tall arched bay with a recessed rounded window, sculpted figures around the arch and a rounded pediment with a red shield above; a dark metal canopy projects over the entrance doors. Two window niches on the main facade hold portrait sculptures of Kisfaludy Károly and Katona József, and a tall ornate stone column with statues stands before the left side behind a black iron fence. Inside, the auditorium has a cream ceiling with gold stucco, a tiered gold-and-glass chandelier, a curved balcony front with lit lamps, red-lined boxes and rows of red upholstered seats.

Designed by the Viennese firm Fellner & Helmer, the theatre was inaugurated on 14 October 1896 as part of the millennium celebrations. The opening programme included Katona József's Bánk bán, performed by artists of the National Theatre with Jászai Mari, Szacsvay Imre and Márkus Emília in the leading roles. Emperor Franz Joseph and Queen Elisabeth attended the ceremony, and a plaque in the building commemorates them. It has held national theatre status since 1 January 2020.

The theatre is named after Katona József, author of Bánk bán, in 1916. Its opening on 14 October 1896 featured that play with Jászai Mari, Szacsvay Imre and Márkus Emília, and Emperor Franz Joseph and Queen Elisabeth attended; a plaque commemorates them.

The organisation operates multiple separate venues located at different spots around the city, each offering its own type of space. Visitors should check which location hosts a particular show since performances take place in different buildings.

The building has been used as a film set several times: László Ranódy shot the theatre scenes of Pacsirta here in 1963, Éva Zsurzs filmed Othello Gyulaházán in 1966, and Péter Bacsó partly shot Te rongyos élet here in 1983. István Szabó's 2004 film Csodálatos Júlia was also made here.