In Synetic’s production of Host and Guest, even the pantomimed act of suiting up for war is a thing of lyrical beauty.

The show is based on an epic Georgian poem and a remounting of a previous production in response to the recent conflict in the region. The story of Host and Guest is a rather thin one – hunters from warring clans meet in forest. One brings the other home as his guest, but the surrounding visitors recognize his identity as a rival. The host’s decision has tremendous consequence, and the bulk of the play unwinds tragedy after tragedy that befalls the pair following the choice.

The themes of Host and Guest are fairly broad – war is devastating, senseless and baseless fighting is even more so – but the brutality demonstrated through Irina Tsikurishvili’s choreography drives the point home again and again. Synetic’s always been a troupe that can masterfully build a climax, and this show is no exception, as the dancers’ increasingly frenetic movements in the final battle scene are complemented by soaring music by Konstantine Lortkipanidze (whose compositions here feel more romantic than his frequently atonal work that accompanies many Synetic shows).