Review: Hissvägraren

LONGING FOR THE ELEVATOR


THE MAIN CHARACTER (Lasse Pöysti) is an old Etutöölö resident
man, lonely Helsinki resident, whole
I’ve lived in the same house all my life. First as a conversation partner
was a single mother, after the death of her mother
dog and after the dog’s death
The old, personal elevator of the corridor (!)
Loneliness is sad, of course, but also amusing,
And by no means just pathetic.
At times, loneliness can also be toned and
respectable life of an “old, wise hermit”.
Director and screenwriter Bengt Ahlfors says
In the play Hissvägraren, a simple person
a life story with nuances and shadows, and
Precise details. The viewer is faced with
A charming, charismatic actor who survives
an hour and a half of work without gimmicks, supported by
only unpointed lights and narrowed
a kitchen slice staged on stage.

Lasse Pöysti is genuinely old, with gestures and facial expressions
and (controlled) fumbling. In addition to the role,
On stage, the actor himself is very much on stage – the whole
Pöysti’s career and crystallized over the years
professionalism. And what is important: the language is clearly
pronunciation and easy to understand even for Finnish speakers.
Definitely recommended.