Page 1of 2PURPLE DIVINE’s INAUGRAL THEATRICAL PREMIERE—GOING UP

 PURPLEDIVINE  presents

 Going Up 

Written  by Kiki Dranias

 Directed by Jen ViensWith Paul Van Dyck and Kelly Craig

Thursday,November 21-Saturday,November 30 

Psycho-erotic drama takes place in a stuck elevator

Montreal, November 2019—PURPLEDIVINEpresentsthe premiere of Going Up, a 40 minute psycho-erotic drama by Kiki Dranias, directedby Jen Viens. Featuring Paul Van Dyckand Kelly Craig, the site-specific play takes place in a freight elevator from November 21-30. Trigger warning—mature content,and not recommended for claustrophobics.
In the immersive environment of Going Up,two strangers get stuck in an elevator and end up being bothpawn and key masters to each other’s deepest, darkest desires. Here, a man with a death wish comes face-to-face with a suppressed killer,withno way out. This stark,avant-garde theatre pieceunravels itself whileprobing deep-rooted struggles with depression, control, the right to live-and-die,and self-actualization. 
From playwright Kiki Dranias:“Awriting class once suggested I take my creative voiceand exaggerate it. At the time,both asexual harassment/assault scandal andCanada’s assisted-suicide laws weremaking headlines across the country. The combined stories got me thinking about the licensesociety hasto judge. And,how one individual may getrestricted and another encouraged, all depending on their adhered-to desire or aversion. Five years later, Going Upis seeing thelight!” 
Director Jen Vienswasdrawn to directing Going Upbecause it asks questions thatsociety tends to shy away from,“Who decides what is rightand wrong? From where are our values cultivated? If we were free from social restriction, what desires would we give in to? I appreciate that this story explores these hard questions through two complex people, and it does so without judgement, but ratherwith curiosity. We need to be talking about things that scare us; to have more of these uncomfortable conversations. Artallows us the freedom to do so,” she said.

Going Upplaywright Kiki Draniasis the author of Blood is Blue;this is her playwriting debut. Amom, poet and writer, Draniasalso works for KidsPlay Mission and Teesri Duniya Theatre.Jen Viensis a director, actor and producer originally from BC. She studied theatre at UBC, and trained with Matthew Harrison at the Actor’s Foundry in Vancouver. Viensrelocated to Quebec five years ago and currently works in Montreal and Toronto.The movement director is Stephanie Breton; costumes are by Alexa Parker. PURPLEDIVINEpromotes and publishes work they deem poetic and beautiful.The company plans to tour the show to Vancouver, Torontoand Athens. 
 
PURPLE DIVINE 
presents Going UpThurs. 
Nov. 21-Sun. Nov. 24 and Thurs. Nov. 28-Sat. Nov. 30 
The 40-minute show runs two performances each date:  
Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 7pm & 8:30pm 
Sun. Nov. 24 matinees at 1:30pm & 3pm 
At Le 5800 St. Denis
(Corner Rosemont; entrance via Loading Dock #3 on Marmier Street) 
Very limited capacity, not recommended for claustrophobics
Tickets: $20.00, available at www.purpledivine.com/shop
 Tickets at the door as per availability 
www.facebook.com/events/2908572512521354/