Ferdinand Schmalz

The manager of the spa has had enough. She put her trust in Hannes by making him pool attendant, after all. And Hannes thanks her by attempting an insurrection. In the spa. He creates a disturbance while people are taking a cure. And he wants to open up the spa to everyone: “The baths are for those who swim.” This is exactly what makes the exclusive tranquillity of a place like this so special. How else is a person supposed to recover? But unfortunately Hannes is serious. He dives down into the underground of the spa. Roswitha takes extreme measures. Hopes to float Hannes up. To no avail. Or is it? The curers are now floating in the water around the pesky troublemaker looking after themselves.
Are those bathing in the surplus prepared to share? Are those that are healed prepared to help? It would be so wonderful, but it remains a dream. In Ferdinand Schmalz’s play, it’s every man for himself. Optimise, motivate, cultivate! These are the credos here. And it all boils down to one thing: changes should only be made at the highest level and never damage the status quo. Hannes may think he is promoting solidarity so well, but people put themselves first. The opening of the baths would mean the end of spa society. On this, all those concerned are in agreement. And that it must be prevented at all costs, even if it takes violence!
“Schmalz dabbles in the shallow waters of a wellness satire, but he can also pick up the pace and tighten the screws of language, and then it no longer sounds like Loriot’s men in the bathtub, but like a water ballet with Jelinek, Achternbusch and Werner Schwab.” (Martin Halter, FAZ)