The Elevator by Eloise Snape Ensemble Theatre, Kirribilli, Sydney, September 18 – October 18 2026.
Running Time 90 minutes (no interval)
Rec. Age 14+ - occasional coarse language
The Elevator was commissioned by Ensemble with the support of the Commissioners’ Circle
Previewed by Frank McKone
September 18
Previews September 18 / 19
Opening September 20
Cast
Leeanna Walsman as Margot, Di Adams as Ollie, and Shirong Wu as Alison
Director: Anthea Williams
Set & Lighting Designer: Kelsey Lee
Costume Designer: Keerthi Subramanyam
Composer & Sound Designer: Daniel Herten
Stage Manager: Krystelle Quartermain
Asst Stage Manager: Bela Wellstead
Standard practice says that I’m not allowed to write a real review of a preview performance. The opening was yesterday, Sunday September 20, as my other commitments have delayed my writing time – and I find it hard to imagine how it could have been much better then, than the top-class show I saw on Friday night.
The Ensemble’s publicity says “playwright Eloise Snape delivers a whirlwind of laughs and truth bombs in this no-fluff office satire”, but the script is much cleverer than this makes it sound; and the demands it makes of the three women actors, performed close to perfection I thought, takes the characterisations and the plot far beyond an entertaining satire.
This is where the quality of directing by Anthea Williams shines through, in the strength of character of Ollie; the new realising in the frightened Alison of how to take control; and especially of turning around the hard-nosed Margot to the point where we can even begin to feel sorry for her.
And, in the face of the newly even more threatening AI situation, the point of the play is especially sharpened.
This is an Ensemble short play wonder – and you have a whole month to make sure you don’t miss it.
