HOCHZEIT IM FASCHING (LOVE ADRIFT)

Part One

Scene 1

Zsuzsika’s family, her entire household is busy preparing a huge feast to celebrate her engagement. They are waiting for the arrival of the groom, Jónás Bükky. Zsuzsika is the only one not taking part in the preparations, as she does not like one bit the boy whom her mother, the mistress of the house chose for her. Another unforeseeable event hinders the mistress’s plans: there is a heavy snowfall, the roads are blocked, and none of the invited guests managed to get through the snowdrifts. But there are other, half frozen travellers stopped by the weather, who are taken in by the hospitable household. Among these random guests is Kálmán, a student from Csurgó, whose happiness takes over everyone almost instantly, chasing away their worries. A great feast begins.

Scene 2

Meanwhile, Kálmán keeps seeking the company of Zsuzsika. The girl escapes his attempts more for the sake of propriety. Finally they meet, and their love is fulfilled. But the love poem of the student is found by the mistress, who instantly calls her husband telling him that it is time he ended this intolerable situation and made Kálmán leave the house. At this point Péter loses the patience he has had until now, and confronts his wife: no guest may be insulted in his house! The mistress reacts by changing her tone and tactic. She had noticed that the army officer Zoltán keeps wishfully following the sorrowful Countess. She asks the Countess to keep Kálmán busy, while making Zoltán promise that he will entertain Zsuzsika all evening.


Part Two

Scene 1

The loving hearts have found a way to each other, and when Zsuzsika’s mother steps into the room again, she finds the original couples paired up. She suddenly invites all the guests into the room to see how the lovers broke their given word—and here begins the most exciting part of the game of forfeits previously started in the next room: the paying of forfeits. When the merriment is at its highest, they get the news that the snow has stopped falling and the roads can be used again the next day. The guests, who not so long ago were inconsolable for being trapped by the snow, now are just as sad for being able to move on. Upon Kálmán’s suggestion, they have a farewell party on their last night spent together, when forfeits and kisses flow freely.

Scene 2

Mrs Bükky finally arrives the next morning, but without her son, Jónás. As it turns out, Jónás has had his engagement after falling in love with their host’s daughter in the house where they got trapped by the snow. This time the mistress is happy to see Zsuzsika and Kálmán together. She takes the opportunity and introduce the student to Mrs Bükky as Zsuzsika’s fiancé, so as not to seem like a loser. The young lovers joyfully embrace each other, but they soon have to find out that the mistress only said what she said to keep her dignity in front of Mrs Bükky. In the end though she lets go of her stubborn disapproval of their love, and Zsuzsika and Kálmán can finally be together. They ask the guests who are about to leave to stay a little longer and celebrate the engagement for real this time.