Show and Tell, oh yeah! The Boar

A bunch of us had to read this for Intro to Scenic Design… So sorry if I'm like the millionth person to use this as my extra play. I had actually read this play once before in my sophomore English class in high school (thats a whopping four years ago, guys.) I specifically remember not particularly enjoying the play at all when I read it the first time, so reading it the second time was not an exciting prospect to me. Pleasantly, however, I really enjoyed this play. I think the sense of humor was just too mature for me at the time.

This is one of Chekhov's classic farces, translated from the original Russian. It takes place somewhere in the mid to late 19th century. In the Boar, Mrs. Helena Popov is grieving the loss of her husband who died seven months ago. She has not left the house since his passing. Then, suddenly, in comes Smirnov. He comes into her house demanding that she repay him money her husband owed him before he died. He has a debt that needs to be paid immediately, so he is very demanding in his request for his money. Unfortunately, however, Popov has no funds available until next week. Smirnov refuses to leave until she pays him what he is owed. This is where the plot escalates. As the two reach a stale mate on the business side of things, we learn many other things about these characters. Neither one of them are behaving truthfully. We find out that Popov isn't really mourning the death of her husband. She is trying to prove how much she loved him and show him in the afterlife how cruel he was to be so unfaithful to her while he was alive. Additionally, Smirnov is staying at her house out of pride, because he doesn't want to be walked all over. The play progresses into a series of heated arguments that get increasingly more and more absurd. Finally, it escalates to a duel- yes you heard me- a full on duel…with guns. However, Popov must first be taught by Smirnov how to use one. This close physical proximity suddenly overwhelms Smirnov and he realized that during the course of the evening he has fallen in love with her and her strength. They fight a bit more, make out a bit, and live happily ever after. And nobody had to get shot.


Dramaturgically, I liked the use of love and hate having so many parallels. Scientifically, love and hate have very similar effects on the body, so its a fact that passion of all kinds is related. This extremity, however, is what makes the play so comical. One minute Popov and Smirnov are about to start shooting pistols at each other. The next minute, they are declaring their undying love for each other and embracing. If only real life was like that. This is another example of a comedy of manners, in my mind. Much like Overtones and The Importance of Being Earnerst, the comedy is in their ludicrous behavior in light of the situation at hand. They all also take place in similar styled time periods, if I am thinking correctly. Maybe it is just a style that I enjoy, but I found the Boar to be brilliantly entertaining and witty. But that is a given. I mean it is Chekhov.