The Gábor Miklós Award is a Hungarian theater prize named after the famous actor Miklós Gábor. It is among the most important Hungarian theatrical recognitions, alongside the Kossuth Prize and the Jászai Mari Award. The award honors outstanding acting performances, especially in classical plays and Shakespeare roles, and celebrates excellence in Hungarian-language theatre.
History The award was founded in 2000 by the Gábor Miklós Foundation, established by Éva Vass, the widow of Miklós Gábor. The foundation's purpose is to preserve the actor's artistic legacy and to promote the performance of classical drama in Hungary. The award has been presented annually since its inception and is regarded as a continuation of Gábor's lifelong commitment to artistic quality and cultural heritage on stage.
Selection and ceremony The Miklós Gábor Award is presented annually to an actor or actress who has delivered an outstanding performance in a classical theatre role, especially in a play by William Shakespeare. Recipients are selected by a professional committee (kuratórium) consisting of prominent figures in Hungarian theatre, including directors, critics, and writers. Tamás Koltai chaired the committee between 2000 and 2015. Since 2017, it has been headed by Tamás Ascher. The award takes the form of a bronze plaque designed by the sculptor Tamás Vígh, depicting William Shakespeare on one side and Miklós Gábor on the other. Although primarily honorary, the prize may include a small financial contribution provided by the Gábor Miklós Foundation. The award ceremony traditionally takes place on or around 7 April, the birthday of Miklós Gábor. The presentation usually takes place on stage right after a theatrical performance. In 2025, the award was presented following a production of The Tempest at the Tamási Áron Theatre in Sepsiszentgyörgy, Transylvania.
Recipients 2000 - Zsolt László, Antonio - The Merchant of Venice, Budapesti Kamaraszínház, Director: Róbert Alföldi 2001- Zsuzsa Varga, Sebastian - Twelfth Night, Gergely Csiky Theatre, Director: József Kelemen 2002 - Zsolt Herczeg, Puck - A Midsummer Night's Dream, National Theatre of Szeged, Director: Sándor Zsótér 2004 - Péter Blaskó, Titus Andronicus - Titus Andronicus, Gyulai Várszínház, Director: László Bocsárdi 2005 - János Kulka, Richard III - Richard III, National Theatre, Director: Péter Valló 2006 - Zoltán Balázs, Hamlet - Hamlet, Bárka Színház, Director: Tim Carroll 2007 - Judit Pogány, Fool - Twelfth Night, Örkény István Színház, Director: András Dömötör 2008 - Károly Hajduk, Macbeth - Macbeth, Katona József Színház, Director: Gábor Zsámbéki 2009 - Róbert Szegezdi, Claudius - Hamlet, Hevesi Sándor Színház, Director: Bertalan Bagó 2011 - András Hatházi, Popeius - Measure for Measure, Kolozsvári Állami Magyar Színház, Director: Matthias Langhoff 2012 - Roland Rába, Polonius - Hamlet, Nemzeti Színház, Director: Róbert Alföldi 2013 - László Gálffi, Prospero - The Tempest, Örkény István Színház, Director: László Bagossy 2014 - György Cserhalmi, King Lear - King Lear, Vörösmarty Színház, Director: Bertalan Bagó 2015 - D. Géza Hegedűs, Julius Caesar - Julius Caesar, Vígszínház, Director: Róbert Alföldi 2016 - György Bajomi Nagy, Hamlet - Hamlet, Weöres Sándor Színház, Director: Balázs Czukor 2017 - András Pál, Leontes - The Winter's Tale, Radnóti Színház, Director: Péter Valló 2018 - Imre Csuja, King Henry IV - Henry IV Parts I-II, Örkény István Színház, Director: Pál Mácsai 2019 - Gábor Nagypál, Macbeth - Macbeth, Jászai Mari Színház/ Szkéné Színház, Director: Rémusz Szikszai 2020 - László Görög, Shylock - The Merchant of Venice, Miskolci Nemzeti Színház, Director: János Mohácsi 2022 - Márton Pallag, Sir Toby Belch - Twelfth Night, Weöres Sándor Színház/ Forte Company, Director: Csaba Horváth 2023 - Katalin Takács, Puck - A Midsummer Night's Dream, Kőszegi Varszínház, Director: D. Géza Hegedűs 2024 - Péter Orth, Macbeth - Macbeth, Katona József Nemzeti Színház (Kecskemét), Director: Lehel Kovács 2025 - Janka Korodi & Tibor Pálffy, Ariel and Prospero - The Tempest, Tamási Áron Színház (Sepsiszentgyörgy), Director: Viktor Bodó
The award was not presented in 2003 and 2021.
Legacy Over the years, the Gábor Miklós Award has become a respected recognition in Hungarian theater. It not only recognizes artistic excellence but also helps preserve classical theatrical traditions and promote Shakespearean drama. The award has strengthened the connection between Hungarian and cross-border Hungarian-language theatres, drawing attention to outstanding actors from regions such as Transylvania. By continuing to celebrate Gábor Miklós's memory, the prize has become a lasting symbol of Hungarian theatrical culture and excellence.
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