A chamber play about stagnation, departure and the power of unexpected encounters.
The Thalamus Theater's new play
"The Elevator" based on a radio play by Mariana Leky
Getting stuck in an elevator is a terrifying prospect for most people. That's exactly what happens to an agitated, hypochondriac woman in her mid-forties and a latently aggressive doctor in the Thalamus Theater's latest production. At first, escape from their predicament seems quickly possible with the help of the "psychologically trained" caretaker, who announces himself via the intercom. But the longer they wait for proper rescue, the more it becomes clear to the two trapped people that their lives have long since come to a standstill. The supposed caretaker, using his "elevator psychology," engages them in intense conversations in which their individual masks and prejudices fall away. "An elevator can also be a kind of recovery room, metaphorically speaking," says the wise building manager. Thus, in a motionless elevator car, of all places, the lives of the two protagonists pick up speed again. The Thalamus Theater has successfully secured exclusive rights from author Mariana Leky to stage her 2012 radio play as a stage play. Audiences can expect an exciting chamber play that combines Mariana Leky's wonderful language with the surprising richness of imagery of a lively theatrical production.