To Arms!

Author and director of the play – Ara Yernjakyan.

First played on 18.02.2006 in Yerevan

27.03.2007 – The annual “ARTAVAZD” prize, 

held by the Theatre Workers Union, 

was awarded to the “To arms!” play, 

in the nomination “The Best play of the year”.

A reality that does not only belong to Armenia but also to any other country that willingly or unwillingly is dragged into the projects of the… let us say “super countries”. Projects that affect the country’s general lifestyle, economy, traditions etc…

The Yerevan State Chamber Theater’s play is a reflection of our times. 

A reality that does not only belong to Armenia but also to any other country that willingly or unwillingly is dragged into the projects of the… let us say “super countries”. Projects that affect the country’s general lifestyle, economy, traditions etc.

The heroes of the play are looking for an exit from that situation, trying to go to places that they think are safer, with a better chance to live and create, work and achieve. Let it be in space, on earth, in the mountains, even under the water. The heroes’ talk, think, plan, quarrel when the “super countries” shout at them, make fun of them, wave a finger at them, and even make decisions that are not only incomprehensive but also unacceptable.

At some part of the play, there is a situation in which one of the performers writes “NO EXIT” on the wall, because it seems that are forgotten or lost all the values and all the names that served as an example for these people, starting from the beginning of the country’s history. 

A country that survived the past millennia and has still a long way to go – walking side by side with other countries – recognizing and respecting each other’s rights, traditions, culture and power- the power that any country has. So “I Zen” TO ARMS that means culture, language, traditions, and any other weapon available for peaceful and creative lifestyle.

“It became a custom that Yerevan Chamber Theatre starts the new season with première – performance “To Arms!” which is the logical continuation of formerly sensational performance of Ara Yernjakyan “Hayk”. The performance is organized in the traditional style of Chamber theatre, where the sharpest problems of vital importance are presented in grotesque form. In another words-laugher through tears.

…The première was accepted by the audience with a bang.

Anna Kristaforyan, “To Arms!”, “Afisha”, 6 – 19.03.2006

“The performance “To Arms!” burns, offends, makes angry, makes us mock ourselves. And the well-known actors of Chamber Theatre Georgy Amiraghyan, Grisha Baghdasaryan, Sergey Danielyan, as well as the younger actors Luisa Nersisyan, Manuk Hakhverdyan, Arshaluys Harutyunyan and Arthur Karapetyan draw the audience into painfully familiar and strained fantastic life, which we can change just together.”

Margarita Yakhontova, “Artavazd and Ara “The beautiful”, “Novoe Vremya”, 09.06.2007

Festivals, Tours:

01.07.2007 – The performance “To Arms!” was presented in “Artist” Republican

Theatrical Festival.

07-14.02.2008 – Iran, Tehran, “To Arms!” play was presented at the 26th Fadjr International Theatre Festival. 

28.10.2011 – USA, Yerevan Chamber Theater presented the performance “To Arms!”, as part of International Theater Festival in Los Angeles “Theaters of the World”, invited by the company “ASA ART INC”, on the stage of “Beyond the Stars Palace” (Glendale, CA).

14.11.2016 – Goris State Drama Theatre Named after V. Vagharshyan presented “To Arms!’ pessimistic comedy. Author of the play – Ara Yernjakyan, director of the play – Gor Margaryan.