- What was the most memorable moment of your life?

- One of the most memorable moments of my life (in a positive sense) was when I found out I had been accepted to the University of Theatre and Film Arts. In a negative sense, it was the sudden death of my father a few years ago.

- How much did your first love influence your later relationships?

- I have changed a lot since my first relationship and I continue to change, thankfully. At least that is what I strive for. My first love remains in my memory as something refreshing and delicate, an exciting experience. How much it influenced my relationships? I’m not sure, but I’m sure it has had some impact.

- Where would you prefer to live outside Hungary?

- I would most like to live in a German-speaking country. During my university years, I had the opportunity to get to know Berlin, the German mentality, and values, as I was a Leonardo scholarship student at the Ernst Busch Academy of Dramatic Arts. Of course, the language is also an important factor in my answer. In addition, I would be very curious about Scotland and Ireland. Recently, Maladype and I returned from the United States, where we performed our 100th anniversary show of King Ubu at the Touchstone Theatre in Bethlehem, New York. We also presented the world-travelled Egg(s)Hell to American audiences at the Trap Door Theatre in Chicago, Pennsylvania. I find the openness and inclusive mindset of Americans captivating, and I can imagine living in the United States as well.

- How much did your environment influence your career choice? Was there a celebrity or role model who motivated you?

- As a child, I spent almost all of my free time watching films—whether they were videos or at the cinema—because my grandmother worked at the local movie theater. I could watch almost everything in the empty cinema before the premieres. As a child, I really liked the idea that the actors were playing just for me. Later, as a primary school student, I was introduced to the theater, which also fascinated me. My literature teacher encouraged me to consider this career path, suggesting it might suit me. However, she didn’t know that I had already been nurturing the thought of how exciting it would be to become an actor. I graduated from a drama-focused high school and later got close to the profession as a student at an acting school. Ultimately, I graduated from the University of Theatre and Film Arts as a student of János Meczner. I don’t have a specific role model, but I consider myself fortunate and am grateful to work every day with excellent colleagues.

- What is your favorite book and why?

- I want to read more and dive deeper into literature, both in terms of authors, periods, and genres. I particularly enjoy László Krasznahorkai because he strives to create the perfect sentence, and in order to do that, he almost describes it in circles, hoping that at some point, somewhere, it will come to life. This ongoing research, examination, analysis, evaluation, and processing in his work resonates deeply with me.

- What do you think of your personality? How do you see yourself?

- I am an exhibitionist to a healthy extent, which is essential for my profession. I believe I have enough curiosity, perseverance, resilience, and sensitivity. The latter sometimes turns into over-sensitivity. But of course, humor and especially self-irony are also part of who I am.

- What are you most afraid of?

- My biggest fear is losing my loved ones.

- How much of your childhood dreams have come true?

- Maybe I’m on the right path for them to come true someday...

- What do you think of charity hotlines and their effectiveness? Have you ever performed at a charity event?

- I have never been asked to perform at a charity event, but I consider it extremely important and essential to have opportunities to help others, whether it’s through charity hotlines or a charity performance. For those in need, this is often the last lifeline they can hold on to, and if we can push a common cause forward, perhaps the lives of the weaker and more vulnerable will take on new meaning.

- Do you think vanity is a positive or negative trait? Do you consider yourself vain?

- Excessive vanity is unfortunately a dead end; "less is more."

- What are you most proud of?

- I am most proud of the professional successes we have achieved so far.

- What has been your greatest disappointment in life?

- People often experience small disappointments. I try to avoid the bigger ones as much as possible. What I can’t stand is being treated like a fool, and I find indifference unbearable.

- What do you think of the current popular diets? How do you eat?

- I consider myself fortunate in terms of my physique. I’ve only encountered diets due to minor health issues. Luckily, I can eat whatever I want, but I avoid late-night fridge raids.

PROFILE
Zoltán Lendváczky was born on April 25, 1979, in Budapest. He graduated from the drama department of Vörösmarty High School, after which he studied at the Shakespeare Academy of Dramatic Arts and was a member of the Stúdió-K Creative Community. He graduated as an actor with a specialization in puppetry from the University of Theatre and Film Arts while studying on a Leonardo scholarship at the Ernst Busch Academy of Dramatic Arts in Berlin. During his third year, director Zoltán Balázs, leader of the Maladype Theatre, noticed him. For the annual exam performance, he was cast in the lead role of Gilbert and Sullivan's operetta The Mikado, and after graduating, he was contracted by the theater. Since then, the young actor has played a series of leading roles. He has portrayed characters such as Woyzeck, Don Carlos, Ubu Mama, Sganarelle, and Roberto Zucco, participated in international co-productions in Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, and Romania, and has traveled the world, performing in the United States, the Netherlands, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Montenegro, India, and Iran as a member of the Maladype Theatre. He is currently preparing for the premiere of Raymond Queneau's Exercises in Style in an open rehearsal process with the audience.

Elitemagazin.hu, 2014

Translation by Zsuzsanna Juraszek