The Hurricane

The Hurricane begins as a tourist trip and ends as a revealing of humanity. A group of people sitting on chairs, staring at the horizon and waiting for something big to happen, something dangerous, something that would give their existence a meaning, if only for a moment. But this waiting reveals the essence of the play: the characters are used to observing, not acting. The approaching storm is not just a weather phenomenon; it is a metaphor for the world in which they live - a world of political platitudes, bureaucratic indifference, disaster tourism and comfortable cynicism. The dialogues are at once banal and ominous, full of humour that slowly transforms into unease. When it becomes clear that they're no longer simply observing the hurricane but rather a part of it, it is too late. The Hurricane's greatest quality is this very twist: the threat doesn't come from the outside; it reveals that it has always been here. The play offers no salvation but rather a well-known image - in it, we see rich people enjoying the sight of the disaster, the people for whom death and rubbish are only a short-term nuisance. We see a society that prefers to remain seated rather than to stand up - even when the wind is destroying the ground under its feet.

Št. vlog

7

Št. moških vlog

4

Št. ženskih vlog

3

Odlomek iz besedila

LEON: Where are we?

KOLOMAN: At the top of the hill.

LEON: The observatory is here?

KOLOMAN: Nowhere else. Just as it says in the brochure.

KARMEN: So, we’ll be seated?

KOLOMAN: That’s what the chairs are for.

LEON: Aren’t they a bit uncomfortable?

KOLOMAN: They’re traditional chairs.

LEON: What does that mean?

KOLOMAN: Chairs… with tradition.

KARMEN: In the midst of unspoilt nature!

HERBERT: Good move, manager.

KOLOMAN: We’re doing our best.

HERBERT: But still… have you considered sun loungers?

KOLOMAN: That sort of stuff’s always breaking down.

HERBERT: Of course. I only mentioned it because we’re outdoors…

LEON: Hang on, Koloman… is that all?

KOLOMAN: No, that’s not all. The best is yet to come.

HERBERT: A tornado observation post. A brilliant invention!

LEON: You’re exaggerating. Anyone can put chairs out in the garden.

HERBERT: You have to appreciate the advantages of where you live. Seize the opportunity to be able to…

INGEBORG: Watch tornadoes?

HERBERT: Even though they won’t reach you.

Pause.

ALIŠA: Will we see a funnel cloud?

KOLOMAN: You’re in luck. There’ll be plenty of them on the weather map.

LEON: Give up painting, Koloman. I hope you’re not selling waterspouts.

KARMEN: What’s your problem with paintings? I admire them. Apart from opera, which is my greatest obsession.

ALIŠA: I’d like to see a funnel cloud up close.

INGEBORG: You wouldn’t want that.

ALIŠA: Why not?

INGEBORG: Where there is one, there’s no one left.

HERBERT: A geographically limited phenomenon, madam. Fascinating from a distance, but fortunately limited.

INGEBORG: Cumulonimbus clouds are deadly.

HERBERT: It’s a new phenomenon, a new thermal cloud…

ALIŠA: Tall, narrow, powerful…

HERBERT: But it doesn’t reach this far.

INGEBORG: It’s not far away, though.

HERBERT: So enjoy the view. (To Karmen) Why are you clapping, madam?

KARMEN: I’m very excited. Can we film it on our phones?

KOLOMAN: You can, but I’d advise against it.

KARMEN: Why?

KOLOMAN: Firstly, you can get the photos in the gift shop. There are lines and sticks, cones and funnels…

KARMEN: And secondly?

KOLOMAN: Sometimes the wind picks up.

KARMEN: What do you mean… the wind picks up?

KOLOMAN: If it blows your phone away, don’t blame me.

Pause.

INGEBORG: That’s something new, isn’t it?

HERBERT: Not really. A bit of adrenaline goes with it.

INGEBORG: Why?

HERBERT: It amplifies the effects. And with that, the sensations.

KARMEN: I see what you’re on about. Is that why there’s no roof here? So we’re more in touch with our sensations?

KOLOMAN: It would get in the way. Besides, you don’t need a roof at all. If it happens to drizzle, you’ve got an umbrella. You received it along with the brochure which also served as an invitation. Thank you for responding to it. It’s big enough, so you can fan yourselves with it if it gets hot. You’re welcome to keep it, too. But please do return the umbrella to the gift shop once the tour is over.

HERBERT: Of course. A really good idea. This observation point. Congratulations, Mr Koloman.

KOLOMAN: All the credit goes to our district. I’m just the manager.

LEON: And what do you manage?

KOLOMAN: What do you mean?

LEON: The districts haven’t existed for sixty years.

KOLOMAN: That means they’re older than your country, state councillor, sir.

LEON: I’m not here on official business.

KOLOMAN: But you could put in a good word for our cause? When you’re back in government service?

HERBERT: He’s right. Think globally, act locally!

LEON: I’m on holiday.

HERBERT: So am I. My name is Herbert.

LEON: What are we talking about, Herbert?

HERBERT: About the fact that the state can support a good idea, even if it’s a local one.

LEON: I’ve come to get some fresh air.

HERBERT: The two aren’t mutually exclusive.

LEON: You’re lobbying early. I’ve heard you’re brilliant at this sort of thing.

HERBERT: I work behind the scenes. Unobtrusively.

KOLOMAN: Right, distinguished guests… I can already sense a change in the weather over there. I’ll go and sort out the chairs. They’re still a bit scattered from yesterday.

LEON: Haven’t you brought too many up here?

KOLOMAN: Our district is developing, state councillor. Mention that at the celebration.

LEON: (surprised) How do you know I’ve got a celebration this evening?

KOLOMAN: I don’t know. Only guessing. Here we go, it won’t be long now.

Pause.

ALIŠA: I wonder if there’s ever been a tornado… that’s gone deeper?

KARMEN: Deeper?

ALIŠA: Closer to here. Where we are now.

INGEBORG: Why do you want to know?

ALIŠA: Tornadoes love low-lying areas…

KARMEN: Love low-lying areas… how beautifully put!

ALIŠA: Thank you.

KARMEN: Why do they love them, though?

INGEBORG: Because they need moist, warm air, which is usually found in the lowlands. So that it can mix with the dry, cold air coming down from high up.

ALIŠA: That’s what my relationship was like, but it fell apart…

HERBERT: (To Ingeborg) Are you a meteorologist?

INGEBORG: No. Weather phenomena are my hobby.

ALIŠA: Herbert …

HERBERT: Go ahead.

ALIŠA: Do you have a hobby too?

HERBERT: I do. Tasting cold starters.

ALIŠA: Really? Is that a thing?

HERBERT: If you have a taste for it.

ALIŠA: In this heat… I’m thinking of ice in the microwave…

HERBERT: It’s practical for me.

ALIŠA: Why?

HERBERT: I attend a lot of banquets and events in my job… Tomorrow, for example, I’ve got the opening of a new shopping centre on my schedule.

ALIŠA: Will there be a reception as well?

HERBERT: For selected guests.

ALIŠA: Are you looking forward to it?

HERBERT: I’m pinning my hopes on the king prawns with mango. The cottage cheese spread with chilli and asparagus is also high on my list, although I prefer the tomato carpaccio. Provided the sheep’s cheese is premium quality...

KOLOMAN: Right then… Please take a seat.

KARMEN: Are the chairs numbered?

KOLOMAN: You’re not at the theatre, madam.

KARMEN: That’s exactly what I thought! What a lovely spot for an open-air event! How I’d love to experience an opera here, with no roof over my head, surrounded by nature!

KOLOMAN: On Sundays we have a local district picnic here. If you’re interested in our music.

KARMEN: Thank you, but I’m fine for now…

KOLOMAN: It’s more of a cosy affair. We close the place to tourists.

HERBERT: That’s why this chair’s covered in mayonnaise…

KOLOMAN: (nervously) It’s bird poo, Herbert. What’s the problem?

HERBERT: There isn’t one.

KOLOMAN: You’re out in nature!

HERBERT: I only mentioned it...

KOLOMAN: Sometimes someone poos on my head too!

HERBERT: It doesn’t bother me at all. I swear. I’ll clean it up myself…

KARMEN: So, can we sit down now? Which way should we face?

KOLOMAN: The way the chairs are arranged. Isn’t that obvious?

KARMEN: I see. You’re the one who knows where the main event will be!

KOLOMAN: Talking of which, madam…

KARMEN: Karmen.

KOLOMAN: Karmen. No offence, but I haven’t seen your receipt yet.

KARMEN: What receipt?

KOLOMAN: You know. The one for the contribution you paid into our district’s account. You received it along with the invitation.

KARMEN: Oh, of course. Everything’s sorted, Mr Koloman. Here, just a moment…

LEON: (to Herbert) Won’t he ever stop going on about the district?

HERBERT: You’d better leave him be.

KARMEN: I don’t know… I must have misplaced it somewhere…

KOLOMAN: Come on, just show me the invitation.

KARMEN: I just need to find it…

KOLOMAN: What are you holding in your hand?

KARMEN: Oh, right. Of course. Here you are…

KOLOMAN: What’s that?

KARMEN: Is there something wrong?

KOLOMAN: Tan… hauzer…?

KARMEN: Hang on… I don’t know… oh, right! I’ve got everything mixed up…

KOLOMAN: Who’s that?

LEON: Tannhäuser. It’s an opera. Madam’s taken the wrong invitation with her.

KARMEN: Oh dear. I’m so sorry. I’m going to see the performance tonight… I’ve been so scatterbrained of late… Anyway, thanks for the umbrella…

KOLOMAN: What shall we do now?

LEON: (to Koloman) Let her watch it, since she’s already here. We’ll sort out the bill later.

KOLOMAN: I don’t know. The government just makes promises.

LEON: If there’s anything to watch at all, by the way.

KOLOMAN: What do you mean?

LEON: It’s not certain, is it? The whole thing? Will you give us our money back, if we end up simply staring into space?

KOLOMAN: Let’s get one thing straight, honourable councillor. If, for example, you pay for a bear hunt…

LEON: I have no such intention…

KOLOMAN: If you did, I mean. It’s your problem, if you can’t shoot it.

LEON: First it has to come into view!

KOLOMAN: So keep your eyes peeled! (To Karmen) You’ll be… out in the fresh air for a bit.

KARMEN: Oh, thank you. I’d love to. A lovely meadow.

HERBERT: Neatly mown. By hand?

KOLOMAN: Traditional mowing. All by hand.

HERBERT: Nicely trimmed.

KOLOMAN: We’ve got a barber.

HERBERT: A barber? That’s a good one! Do you mean a gardener?

KOLOMAN: Let’s sit down.

The group sits down and fans themselves with invitations and brochures.