ARTAVAN LOVE? WAR!

In ‘Love? War!’, two one-act plays by Anton Chekhov come together: ‘The Bear’ and ‘The Marriage Proposal’.

Three people come together – and within no time at all, everything is thrown into disarray.

What begins politely turns into an argument.
The argument turns into a duel.
The duel turns into a rapprochement.
And this rapprochement immediately gives rise to the next conflict.

Chekhov’s characters are not simply funny – they are completely serious. This is precisely where the comedy lies: in precise timing, physical performance, absurd situations and the desperate attempts of three people to maintain control. A minimalist stage becomes a battleground for power, desire and human vulnerability. Music, rhythm, silence and light become dramaturgical elements in their own right.

‘Love? War!’ combines Chekhov’s sharp humour with a physical, fast-paced and precisely staged theatrical evening in which comedy and tension collide head-on.

Here, laughter is allowed.
Here, you’re allowed to argue.
And sometimes, suddenly, everything falls completely silent.

For behind all the vanities, conflicts and absurd situations lies a very human question:
How do you get closer to someone without fighting them?

Three people. Two one-act plays. Plenty of arguments. And perhaps, in the end, love after all.

Director & Artistic Director: Raman Allipur
Artistic Collaboration & Set Design: Marjan Allipur
Starring: Lena Wendt, Nikolai Novikov, Martin Moeller