The case of an operetta being banned in Hungary in 1928, viewed in the mirror of contemporary press sources

Abstract In May 1928, the Andrássy Street Theatre in Budapest planned to re-stage a one-act operetta play titled The First Kiss is Mine . Its libretto was written by Jenő Heltai, and music composed Albert Szirmai. new performance started out as resounding success. But, referring current laws on public morality, Ministry of Interior department charge controlling cultural programmes banned without delay, 18 May, Minister Interior, Béla Scitovszky ordered an investigation into matter. People referred event scandal, press spoke it absurdity, theatre enterprise endangered resulting loss income. After ban, actors were only allowed perform for commission sent from finally, 22 permitted program after all, with some minor changes. my study, I reconstruct present events these few days help contemporary journalistic sources (reports, interviews, etc.) – Budapesti Hírlap , Esti Kurir Magyar Magyarország Pesti Napló Újság 8 Órai –, circumstances prohibition, protest opinion playwrights, position commission, background permission performance.