August Strindberg (1849-1912) was a Swedish playwright and writer, an impulsive, colourful and talented personality. In Sweden, his significance is considered equal to Shakespeare‘s in England. Strindberg‘s temperamental life and works are a manifestation of overwhelming love and hatred for a woman, the feelings which were constantly burning inside his heart. Incompatibility of man and woman – the eternal war between the sexes - became the basic theme of his works, the object of his artistic philosophy and the driving force of most of his plays.
Lithuanian audiences have already been presented a number of theatre productions of Strindberg‘s works: Creditors, To Damascus, A Dream Play, Miss Julie, Hedda Gabler, The Dance of Death, etc. The play Hot Chocolate by Kaunas Chamber Theatre is based on The Stronger, Srindberg‘s dramatic sketch, and a sequel to this play, Bob, which was written by a modern Swedish playwright Anthony Swirling. Created in different epochs, these two miniatures are unified by a common theme of relationship between man and woman. Two worlds at war, two opposing camps – in the play, eternal and inexhaustible quarreling between Him and Her is softened by vivid humour and bitter irony. Here, home life is transferred to ‘a boxing ring‘, where the fierce battle between the opposite sexes and different perceptions takes place. While sitting at tables and enjoying a cup of hot chocolate, spectators may support one or another side or battler, and at the same time admit that the clash between man and woman is universal and familiar to nearly all of us.
"A light, brightly coloured and extravagant show, in which serious conflicts of private life and theatre intrigues are made funny until, finally, it becomes clear that the most sacred passions, confessions and lies are the huge lie, called the Theatre."
"Lietuvos rytas" 9 November 1999
Premiere in October 1999
A special award in the 10th International Theatre Festival "Baltijskij dom". Saint-Petersburg (Russia) 2000
Fortuna Award Diploma. Kaunas (Lithuania) 2000
