Elevator
4 -22 May 2010
Time Out Critics’ Choice ****
Two teenagers. A jammed lift. No mobile signal.
‘Listen. Listen…days ago, I had this idea. I just couldn’t make it clear in my mind. But now I can.’
Inspired by a true story, Gabriel Pintilei’s moving two-hander explores human dynamics in an extreme environment as it follows two youngsters journey through one of life’s worst nightmares.
Spurred on by a sense of romantic adventure, they find themselves trapped inside the lift of an abandoned building. As one failed escape attempt follows another, and jokes are wearing thin, how long before innocence, friendship and stamina collapse under the weight of their confined existence?
Elevator won Best New Play at the Romanian Dramaturgy Festival in 2007, and has been staged to critical acclaim both in its native Romania as well as abroad.
Elevator was the main production of the Firehouse Romanian Season at The New Diorama Theatre, which showcased new works by emerging Romanian artists through a series of book and play readings, post show talks, an ongoing art installation and music.
Based both in the UK and the US, Firehouse Creative Productions develops international performance work integrating true stories inspired by distinct communities. With Elevator, Firehouse aims to connect UK audiences with Romania’s new generation of playwrights, who are dramatising personal, social and universal issues in ways imbued with striking immediacy and emotional rawness.
Directed by Rachel Parish (creator of I Confess: “recaptures the heart of theatre” **** ThreeWeeks), designed by Linbury Prize finalist Will Holt, with original music by Joe Hastings, composer of feature film How to Be (winner of the Grand Jury Honourable mention at the Slamdance film festival in 2008).
Writer Gabriel Pintilei
Translator/Producer Cristina Catalina
Director Rachel Parish
Designer Will Holt: http://www.willholt.co.uk/
Original music Joe Hastings: http://www.hastingsmoore.com/
Poster image Nick Ruttter: http://www.nickrayrutter.co.uk/
DATES & TICKET INFORMATION
4th – 22nd May 2010
Tue – Sat 7.30pm (Sat matinees 3.30pm): £12/£10
Previews 4th and 5th May: £8
Press night 6th May 7pm
Tuesdays 11th & 18th: all tickets £10
BOOKING INFORMATION
Box Office: 0844 2090 344
Book online: www.newdiorama.com
Tickets available on the door one hour before each performance.
FINDING US
The New Diorama Theatre
15-16 Triton Street
Regents Place
London NW1 3BF
ROMANIAN SEASON EVENTS
Play readings: Sat 8th, 15th, 22nd May 4.45pm
Book reading: Thurs 20th May 8.45pm
Rehearsed readings tickets £4 or free for all Elevator ticket holders
Thurs 13th: Gala Fundraising Night with Romanian music, strong tipples and culinary delights: £18
Running time: approx 1hr, no interval.
Age guidance: 16+. Please be advised, this play contains explicit language throughout.
Follow this link for more info about the author:
http://www.teatrul-odeon.ro/eng/oameni/actori/pintilei.htm
We are supported by The Romanian Cultural Institute in London. 
