CALL TO SUPPORT

We are young creators striving to craft a performance beyond time and space with working title "Go.Gol." This fundraising will be used to bring the initiative to life. In the basis of the piece are timeless issues that, unfortunately, have not spared our society. We need your support to bring this idea to life and share genuine laughter with you. After all, perhaps self-irony is the key to understanding our concerns and finding solutions together.

—Aram Sahakyan, Michael (Mark) Margaryan

Go.Gol

Logline

Timeless Issues Through the Lens of Absurdity.

Synopsis

An ambitious production: a wild and absurd phantasmagoria based on the famous Petersburg Tales by Nikolai Gogol — The Overcoat, The Portrait, The Calash, Nevsky Prospect. Here, the theme of the "little man" is revealed in a grotesque and comic light: the weaknesses and vices of the characters are embodied in animal-like behaviors, and they themselves appear as half-humans, half-beasts. At the core of the play is the illusion of life, the futility of ambitions, and the everyday and eternal questions of human existence that, alas, remain relevant to our society.

Structure of the Play

Nevsky Prospect — An artist meets a mysterious brunette and falls in love. However, upon learning that she is a prostitute, he dies in despair. His friend, after meeting a beautiful blonde, attempts to seduce her but is “struck down” by her husband.

The Calash — A boastful nobleman, living near St. Petersburg, arranges a dinner party to sell his calash. However, his plan ends in disgrace.

The Portrait — A young artist buys a mysterious portrait and discovers treasure hidden within it. The unexpected wealth corrupts him, destroying his talent. Over time, it is revealed that the portrait contains the soul of a usurer, responsible for the death of many people.

The Overcoat — A poor civil servant finally fulfills his long-held dream of purchasing a new overcoat. However, the joy is short-lived: the overcoat is stolen. The loss of the one item he held dear, combined with the harsh winter, leads to his death. After his death, his ghost seeks revenge, taking overcoats from others...

Setting and Stage World

St. Petersburg — a city out of time, beautiful on the outside, but turning into an absurdist zoo in the eyes of the characters.

Stage Design

The space is “alive” and mobile. It resembles a circus or a world of distorted mirrors, where the characters are either fugitives from a meaningless masquerade or prisoners of a theater of shadows.

Ensemble of Characters

Four episodes — four different central characters, united by an atmosphere of absurdity. They are civil servants, artists, outcasts — "little people" whose fates inevitably lead to disappearance or death. Together, they embody the main idea of the play — the tragicomic doom of the “little man.”

Imagery

A grotesque, human-animal world where everything is mixed, and dynamic choreography enhances the feeling of chaos. The set is symbolic and easily transforms, emphasizing the illusory nature of the events.

Musical Design

A chaotic mix of classical music, cabaret, chanson, and sounds of urban hustle and bustle.

Idea and Themes

Presented by director Aram Sahakyan:

“Gogol’s work and his grotesque style, through which he addresses essential everyday issues, resonate with me as both an actor and a director. I am, without a doubt, ambitious: I have managed to direct two complex dance performances at a young age, and I’ve long considered adapting Gogol, especially since the stories from his Petersburg Tales cycle (except for The Overcoat) have yet to be staged in any theater. This inspired me to create a performance based on his works.

The play will be multidisciplinary, and every audience member will find characters and stories that touch their heart. It will not only bring immense pleasure but will also make people laugh at what, at first glance, seems to bring tears. The fusion of Gogol's grotesque with my stage world will create an unimaginable absurdity that will exceed the limits of human imagination.

Although the action takes place in the 19th century, with St. Petersburg as one of the main characters, we have made parallels with our time, highlighting issues that troubled people in the past, as well as those that remain relevant today, including for us Armenians. The main goal of this play is to show that these problems affect all societies, and our role as artists is to share these issues with the audience and, perhaps, find solutions, but through laughter and self-irony.

Although Petersburg Tales are monumental works, their theatrical interpretation fits perfectly into a chamber stage, where the themes of the “little man” are particularly poignant. The Yerevan State Chamber Theater, with its stage and technical equipment, is ideal for this production. The play will feature 7-8 young, professional actors who will embody the key characters from all four stories. They will put all their efforts into conveying the issues raised in the play in a light, humorous, flexible, and unpredictable manner.”

Aram Sahakyan — Author of the adaptation and stage director

Team

Aram Sahakyan — Author of the adaptation and stage director

Actor, director, dancer, choreographer․ Lives, studies, and creates in Yerevan. Graduated from School No. 194 in Yerevan, currently studying in the 4th year of the acting department at the Yerevan Regional State College No. 1. On stage since childhood. Attended the "Mankapatum" film school, the GAK "Small Theatre". He is a student of the renowned Armenian choreographer Toma Aydinyan. He has performed in several student productions. He is the author and director of the dance performances "Carpe Diem" and "The Color of Pomegranates." Life would be incomplete without theater...

Audience

These are intellectual people in their 18-50, who enjoy absurd literature and dark humor, who, when faced with life's difficulties and injustices, do not lose their optimism, kindness, and interact with the reality of life and the performance through self-irony. Overall, the performance is not light-hearted and includes universal questions that are real and eternal. Therefore, the audience may not be limited to the aforementioned characteristics.

Conclusion

With your support and significant contribution, this project is set to highlight relevant issues that transcend time and nationality. At the same time, the play will not overwhelm the audience with excessive dramatic outbursts but will instead deliver an important message through absurdity. "Do not become prisoners of your problems, treat difficulties with self-irony, overcome them with a smile, and embrace beauty."

We believe that together we can bring this project to life, and if successful, it will become part of the Chamber Theater’s repertoire, bringing laughter to even more people and possibly bringing positive changes to their lives.

Budget

You can find the project budget here.