Kovács Ferenc: Olvasópróba előtt (Skenotheke 1. Budapest, 1996)

Felhasznált irodalom

1-1-11 Erhart approaches his aunt with joy and curiosity. He is informed of her terminal illness and her intention to return to this house and take up residence in the guest rooms of her ancient family home. Erhart would like to follow Fanny to the party; Ella encourages him to go whereas his mother preaches to him trying to detain him. 1-2-5 Upstairs Frida starts to play the Danse Macabre on the piano. It is only now that Borkman pays attention to her. He stands behind the piano listening to her play. 1-1-12 On hearing the Danse Macabre, Erhart only wants to flee. He yearns for life and merrymaking. He runs away. 1-1-13 For the first time in their lives, the twins agree: Erhart should belong to Fanny rather than to either one of them. With her coat on her arm, Ella leaves for the interior of the house. 1-1-14 Mrs Borkman is left alone, she prays for Erhart to return. (This should not be melodramatic!) The first floor becomes enveloped in darkness. I-2-6 The Danse Macabre becomes louder while the light in Borkman's room fades up. Borkman listens to the last bars with exultation on his face. Through recorded sound, the audience hears an inner monologue which Borkman addresses to Frida in a more compassionate (fatherly?) manner than his usual severe tone. I-2-7 The inner monologue turns into a live dialogue between them. Frida is about to leave; she will play the piano at the lawyer's party. This makes Borkman cold and detached yet again - the more so when he leams that his son will be present at the party. Frida tells him about the events that took place that evening on the first floor. She exits through a side door and we hear noise from the main staircase. Borkman resumes his rigid pose. I-2-8 Foldal enters. Borkman is disappointed again and sits down behind the desk assuming a haughty posture. Foldal complains about his family, who do not appreciate him because he is clumsy, pennyless, and a ne'er do well. Borkman takes this as aveiled reminder that Foldal holds him responsible for his present unfortunate state because Borkman had embezzled Foldal's meager savings. Foldal's only hope lies with Frida, who has left him and taken up residence with Fanny. Foldal is secretly writing a tragedy, which he rewrites again and again. From time to time he reads excerpts to Borkman. This time, however, Borkman is not in the 55