sentences:  Work on the building of the theatre began in the late 1950s, with the original goal to house cultural and artistic events for the working class - it was then known as Worker's Home of Trade Unions of Zalaegerszeg ("Szakszervezetek Zalaegerszegi Munkásotthona").It opened with the play "Bánk bán" by József Katona on 28 January 1968.From 1966 to 1980 it functioned as the cultural center of Zala county ("Megyei Művelődési Központ").