The balcony of the Theater suddenly collapses, Romeo and Juliet are seriously injured

Hungary's theater boss has offered to resign after a fall from a balcony injured two actors in his production of Romeo and Juliet. Júlia Szász played Juliet while Otto Lajos Horváth performed as her father Capulet during Friday's accident.

According to foreign media , the pair are in a serious but stable condition in the hospital. The director of the National Theatre, Attila Vidnyánszky, offered to resign on Monday, but it was rejected by Hungary's culture minister, János Csák. Paramedics treated the couple after they fell behind the set from a raised platform during the second act of the show in Budapest. Both later underwent surgery.

An investigation has been launched into the case, while the Minister of Culture said he would wait for his findings before taking further action. It is unclear when this investigation may be completed. Mr. Vidnyánszky has served in his role as director of the National Theater for 10 years and is a close ally of Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

His appointment was due to end in 2023, but it was extended for a further five years to 2028 earlier this year. Mr. Csák and Mr. Vidnyánszky visited the Budapest hospital where the actors are being treated and met the doctors. In an Instagram post, Csák said the condition of the two actors was improving and wished them a speedy recovery.

Szász was scheduled to appear at the National Theater in John the Valiant and Woyzeck later this month. She has also appeared in a number of high-profile Hungarian film productions. Horváth first gained success in the early 2000s as an actor and is known for acting in Hungarian films and television shows.

William Shakespeare's 1594 tragedy Romeo and Juliet tells the story of two Italian teenagers from conflicted families who fall in love. The pair share an intimate moment on a balcony and plan a secret wedding. (A2 Televizion)