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giovedì 6 agosto 2020

The Monologue of Mendeleev


The Monologue of Mendeleev

Introductory monologue to the theatrical action

"Magic of the Elements"

conceived, composed and interpreted by Ignazio Salvatore Basile

 

The lights are on slowly on the scene. The scientist Mendeleev is sitting at a desk and is immersed in the deepest reflections, puffing and muttering something, in an incomprehensible Russian Language. Initially he does not notice the lights and the audience in the hall. In the background you can hear the notes of a Borodin symphony (or of his work "Prince Igor") in the background.

At a certain point, noticing the audience, he will have a start and will stand up, approaching the proscenium. The notes of the music will fade slowly, slowly ...

 

Mendeleèv (muttering while moving the mosaic tiles in front of him)

 

Mo je tack,  niet! N’aviernotack…Niet  …..…(pausa) Da..da!!!!Kak Vaussnei!!!!!!!(little surprise break)

Oooh!!I beg your pardon! (the scientist realizes the presence of the public in the hall. He stands up and goes to the proscenium  holding some tiles in his hands)I did not realize your presence here …..’you Know?..... I was overthought…… .…...trying to remember a dream about some empty spaces in my periodic table…something like musical scales………or like a simphony…..( he still indulges, as in a trance, to reflect and dream for a long moment, then he will end up shaking himself definitively) Oh, I apologize once again for my persistent carelessness!
It’s time to  introduce myself now: my name is Dmitri Ivànovic  Mendelèev, I come from Russia and I am  a chemist……. (he will look around thoughtfully)
By the way! If  someone has ever told you that Chemistry is a boring subject he must have been somebody who has never understood what Chemistry is related with!
  That’s for sure: all the things of the known world, are related with it and chemistry is perfect!!  …..Despite of those empty spaces that I am looking for………How could I fill them?   
I must reasonably believe that they are more than one……. Actually  it does not change the core of the matter! Pay me your attention, please (
he turns to the blackboard and reads, almost spelling, with a long wand):
The Periodic Law subordinates to it self his interior dynamics and it aims  to go in to the   philosophical principle wich controls the mysterious nature of the elements!”
It sounds quite brilliant, does n’t it? But, what does it   mean? (he will observe a short pause for reflection and after he’ll have a  sudden enthusiasm) Good Heavens!!! Why did n’t I reach it before? But now I surely got it!!!
It means that if my law says that one element exists, although nobody has never seen it, this element must exist! According to my figures and the predictions governed by my Periodic Table there  must be an element that  has an  atomic weight  72 and a density  5.5! 
But,  wich one, is it ? (he Sits Sighing  for  fatigue and sudden disappointment)  
I am too tired now! I am going to take a little rest!   I’ll see you later
 (Mendelèèv goes out; the demonstration of the magic of the elements begins.)



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