Konrad and Alexandra (PDF) - Rolf Gross

The smell of roasting lamb wafted through the house in Zaguramo. The big table was decorated with flowers and bowlsof dyed red eggs. The other family members were already home and mobbed Konrad and Alexandra with questions."Where is Tamara?" asked Irakli sharply. Konrad smiled. "We left her behind with the shepherds. She was still busytaking off her makeup and talking to her friends. We did not want to hurry her, and hungry as we were, we left early."A cloud drifted across Irakli’s face. "What is Tamara doing up there? You say ‘taking off her makeup’? Is she acting in theplay? Easter is Easter, we have celebrated the same liturgy since the fifth century. I do not want to see it changed, evenif it boosts our national consciousness."Konrad sensed that he was walking over treacherous ground.Uncle Ilia, with a provocative glance at Irakli, remarked. "You don’t know, Konrad, but Tamunia was a great actress in ourNational Theater before Irakli discovered her."He made a pause waiting for Irakli to take the bait. But because Irakli remained silent he continued. "Irakli has neverseen her on stage. Tamunia stopped acting when she met him. But I saw her often at the Theatre des Artistes. I wasdeeply in love with her at that time."Irakli lowered his eyes and bit his lips. He was a guest at Ilia’s house."Well," continued Ilia, merciless, "five years ago, Tamunia decided to act again, made up this mystery play, and staged itas her contribution to our National Renewal."Konrad frowned and stuck his head out. "Ilia, I don’t believe you. Tamara cannot have invented this piece. It is much toocomplex and reveals details of the Greek mysteries of which even the anthropologists have not heard. You are makingfun of me! Where did Tamunia-Deda get this script from? It is a most amazing discovery.""None of us has ever seen it," admitted Ilia sheepishly. "The influential critics, who have not seen it either, derided it asobscene and blasphemous, and now nobody would be caught dead up there. However, from the crowds that climb themountain every Easter I see that it has become popular among the country folk."Irakli’s face sunk, and looking very old he raised his tired voice. "My wife’s early acting career once posed a real problemto me. It does no longer, do tell us what is going on in that play. You are more objective then any of us, and maybe youknow more about the origins of its script than we do. Tamara did not invent this play, it is based on an old manuscript shefound in Svaneti."Gingerly Konrad set out to describe the scene in front of the church, the uncouth rhymed jokes of the old crone and herattempts to entice Alexandra and him to perform in the bushes.Ilia broke out in laughter, shouting, "Marvelous, such daring! No wonder our good critics were scared away and neversaw the play."Konrad vividly described the three masked figures in the choir of the crowded church, the queen sitting on the phallus,the veiled Virgin, and the horse-headed Yakkhos.Shocked, Ilia pushed his chair back. "I cannot follow. What has this to do with Easter night?""Ilia," said Konrad irritated, "allow me to present my theory later. We were just as confused as you are now, but thegreatest surprise was the identity of the actors. We never found out who played the horse, but," he held his breath,"beyond doubt Deda played the queen."Ilia began to laugh. "What, Tamunia sitting on the phallus of Zedazeni?"He shook his head mumbling, "Tamunia on the phallus?!" as he refilled their glasses.Raising his glass to Konrad he shouted, "Continue, fearless German tiger! Continue your decouvrage! And you, my dearIrakli, put wax into your ears so you don’t faint!"Irakli sat slumped in his seat. Listlessly he raised his glass to his host.Konrad continued his description of the characters. When he mentioned that the maiden had been played byPersephone, Ilia exclaimed, "You mean the clairvoyant witch from Shavnabada? How does she get involved in all this?"Olga had watched her husband with increasing restlessness. "Tamunia told me a long time ago that Persephone waspart of this play. Calm down, Ilia! Persephone is another excellent actress. You could have gone there yourself. LetKonrad continue!"Ilia sat down, and Konrad suggested that Persephone simply played herself, the Queen of the Underworld.At this moment Tamara appeared in the door. Proud and bright-eyed, still high on the excitement of her role, very muchDemeter, she surveyed the scene. Ilia froze embarrassed."Tamunia," said Olga, "we have been waiting for you with our feast, and, of course, my husband provoked Konrad torelate what happened at Zedazeni tonight. As if they could not have gone there and seen for themselves."Deda smiled at her. "I invited Konrad to Zedazeni. I trust his sober judgement. Maybe Konrad can break the silence thathas separated us for years. But first, give me something to eat, I am starving!"Olga disappeared into the kitchen, and Ilia got up and filled a glass. Handing it to Tamara he welcomed her. "To thequeen of the underworld!""You got that wrong, old cousin—I was the Goddess Demeter. Persephone was the queen of the underworld. Konrad,what did you tell them?""I have not finished describing the characters," said Konrad.41