Sydney Theatre Company in association with Ambassador Theatre Group present

Elling
Based on a novel by Ingvar Ambjørnsen
Stage adaptation by Axel Hellstenius
in collaboration with Petter Næss
Translated by Nicholas Norris
Adapted by Simon Bent

After two years of sharing a room in a mental institution Elling (Darren Gilshenan) and Kjell (Lachy Hulme) are allowed out, back into society. It’s not that they’re dangerous, they’re just a little… hopeless.

Elling is too smart. Too sensitive. Too… Elling. And Kjell? Well, Kjell has a plan, a dream, a great ambition. He wants to lose his virginity. Preferably today.

Elling charts the bumps and stumbles as this truly odd couple make their way back into the world we take for granted. Over the course of the play they will build friendships, become accustomed to all things ordinary and start to experience the pleasure of the everyday.

Based on the cult Norwegian film of the same name, Simon Bent’s adaptation of Elling was first performed at London’s Bush Theatre in 2007 and, due to its huge success, went on to transfer to Trafalgar Studios in the West End.

Even the hardest heart will struggle not to be touched by the characters’ plight and the joy with which they discover the richness of life in the ‘real’ world. Pamela Rabe directs this charming celebration of the simple things in life: freedom and fellowship.