Up & Down Play

“WHEN YOU GO UP INTO THE AIR AND DOWN TO THE DEPTHS OF YOUR SOUL, THE TRUTH CAN BE BOTH TERRIFYING—AND EXTREMELY FUNNY.”

Up & Down is a dark comedy set in the unusual confines of a hot air balloon, where the sarcastic pilot, Angelo, takes his passengers on a bizarre journey filled with laughter and existential reflection. Angelo, a lacklustre showman, unwittingly convinces his eccentric passengers—Pamela, a wealthy property hunter; Zsofi, her millennial assistant; and Tomi, a despondent accountant—that perhaps the only escape is up rather than down. As the journey unfolds, glimpses of their pasts emerge, revealing Christopher, Pamela’s husband; Kinga, Angelo’s wife; and Kasper, Tomi’s love interest, who unexpectedly joins the balloon ride. Towards the end, Angelo tries to reverse his mistake, attempting to change his passengers’ minds with outrageous consequences.

The production is brought to life by a diverse and talented creative team, led by director Tyagi Pallava, a Budapest-based filmmaker known for his dynamic storytelling and unique artistic vision. The script, developed with Zsuzsanna Bak over a year of collaboration with inputs from Csaba Székely. Janka József is leading the production of the upcoming play. It draws inspiration from contemporary social issues while weaving them into a humorous yet deeply resonant narrative.

The cast features a talented ensemble of international and local actors, each bringing their distinctive charm and depth to the stage. Mario Cossu, a Sardinian actor and writer, breathes life into Angelo with his charismatic unpredictability. Fatime Halmos, actress and singer, who frequently appears in both Hungarian and international films and theater productions, takes on the role of Pamela. Una Kovac, an actress working on diverse projects across Europe and internationally, plays Zsofi with an uncanny mix of humor and vulnerability, while Balázs Csémy, a seasoned performer, captures the complexities of heartbreak and self-doubt. Acclaimed Barnabás Réti is the confident Kasper who will turn the tables.

The play premiered on March 13th, in Eötvös10 with a full house and great success.

Please check out our upcoming performances in April.