Host and Guest at Synetic Theater

Host and Guest

Synetic Theater
1800 S. Bell Street Arlington

Visionary Artistic Director Paata Tsikurishvili brings this Synetic classic back to the stage. Based on a Georgian epic poem, Host & Guest tells the ancient story of a family who takes in a lost stranger to discover he is from an enemy clan, and their valiant attempt to save him when their village wreaks vengeance. Performed around the world, Host & Guest is a timely and relevant tale of war, strife, the beliefs that tear us apart, and the humanity that brings us together.

Thru - Oct 2, 2022

Thursdays: 8:00pm

Fridays: 8:00pm

Saturdays: 8:00pm

Sundays: 2:00pm

Show Type: Drama

Box Office: 800-494-8497

www.synetictheater.org

Host and Guest Reviews

Average Rating based on 5 reviews

Highly Recommended
Recommended
Somewhat Recommended
Not Recommended

Washington Post - Recommended

"...It’s ironic that in Synetic Theater’s revival of its 2002 work “Host and Guest”— a movement-rich rebuke of humankind’s propensity for violence and hatred — the most compelling moments evoke such inclinations. The dialogue can sound stiff in this tale of warring clans and courageous loyalty; scenes of mourning can feel ponderous. Yet in agile, fast-paced, ingeniously choreographed sequences, slaughter and vengeance shimmer into life."

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- Celia Wren

DC Theater Arts - Recommended

"...An act of kindness from one stranger to another turns into a night of tragedy and bloodshed as the prejudice, hatred, and strife of warring communities blind their eyes to a shared humanity in Host & Guest at Synetic Theater. A play by Roland L. Reed, based on Vazha Pshavela’s narrative poem “Host and Guest” and directed by Paata Tsikurishvili, this season opener is an arresting reminder of the painful blows we can deal one another and a sobering exploration of the danger leaders who raise armies fevered with righteousness in the destruction of an unknown “other” can pose."

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- Em Skow

Talkin Broadway - Highly Recommended

"...The play, adapted by Roland L. Reed from the poem, is an examination of the clash between individual acts of hospitality and the power of cultural hatred, but that description ignores the pulsating physicality that dominates the 90-minute work. Unlike many of Synetic's other dramatic pieces, this one has dialogue, but the Tsikurishvilis (Paata as director, Irena as choreographer) convey the story's power through the company's signature feats of extreme movement."

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- Susan Berlin

MD Theatre Guide - Highly Recommended

"...With apologies to T.S. Eliot, Synetic Theater opened its 20th season with a big bang— actually two bangs—and closed “Host & Guest” to an even bigger bang. Throughout the 90-minute production, the movement was brilliant, the energy, fierce and unrelenting, as the theme of war’s futility—with brother fighting brother—unfolded in a spectacular production that deserves to be seen by our world leaders. Before that explosive opening, director Paata Tsikurishvili bounded onto the stage to welcome the audience and acknowledge his many supporters."

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- Lynne Menefee

BroadwayWorld - Recommended

"...The cast of Host & Guest are graceful and powerful within their movements. The stylized choreography of Irina Tsikurishvili and the acrobatic fights choreographed by Vato Tsikurishvili blend together, creating a cycle of unity and rivalry. This is where Synetic is at its strongest with its focus on storytelling through movement. The smooth and rapid movements of choreography reflect the style of Georgian traditional dances. When this is paired with Phil Charlwood's set design (remounted from the original by Gogi Alexi Meskhishvili) and hypnotic original music by resident composer Koki Lortkipanidze, the play proves to be both visually stunning in its message of camaraderie."

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- Hannah Wing

Host and Guest at Synetic Theater

Host and Guest

Host and Guest Reviews

Washington Post - Recommended

DC Theater Arts - Recommended

Talkin Broadway - Highly Recommended

MD Theatre Guide - Highly Recommended

BroadwayWorld - Recommended

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