THE CULTCH PRESENTS

HOW TO DISAPPEAR COMPLETELY

MAR 15–22
HISTORIC THEATRE

A lighting designer illuminates his mother’s passing in a brave and intimate work of theatre.

24/25 SEASON

MAR 15–22
HISTORIC THEATRE

By Itai Erdal in collaboration with James Long, Anita Rochon & Emelia Symington Fedy


The Chop Theatre (Vancouver)
In collaboration with The Elbow Theatre (Vancouver)

Runtime

Approximately 90 minutes, no intermission

Box Office Info

Phone:604-251-1363
Email: [email protected]

Mondays: 12 – 6pm
Tuesday to Saturday: 12- 4pm
Sunday: closed

Open 1 hour prior to every show
Content Advisory

Mature themes

Venue Info

HISTORIC THEATRE
1895 Venables St.,
Vancouver, BC

DIRECTIONS

Showtimes

MAY 01 THURS, 7:30 PM —PREVIEW
MAY 02 FRI, 7:30 PM —OPENING
MAY 03 SAT, 2:00 PM
MAY 03 SAT, 7:30 PM
MAY 04 SUN, 2:00 PM —TALKBACK
MAY 06 TUE, 7:30 PM—TALKBACK
MAY 07 WED, 7:30 PM
MAY 08 THURS, 7:30 PM
MAY 09 FRI, 7:30 PM
MAY 10 SAT, 2:00 PM
MAY 10 SAT, 7:30 PM
MAY 11 SUN, 2:00 PM

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“An elegant reminder that even the subtlest light can dispel the darkness”—Examiner.com

In September 2000, Vancouver-based lighting designer Itai Erdal received a phone call from Israel telling him his mother had nine months to live. He promptly travelled to Jerusalem to spend every moment he could with his dying mother. 

During that time, he shot hours of film and hundreds of pictures, documenting the final nine months of her life. In this deeply profound, surprisingly funny, and critically acclaimed work, Erdal demonstrates his approach to theatrical lighting while also reflecting on events that followed his mother asking him to take her life. This piece pairs the power of Erdal’s storytelling with the nuanced potency of stage lighting.

Mery Erdal’s vibrant personality shines through the work—the strong bond she had with her son and her dignity and grace in her final days.

How to Disappear Completely returns home to Vancouver after 25 productions, earning critical acclaim and multiple awards across the globe.

The Draw

“What could have been a dark show is driven in fact by light. The professional insights of Erdal are used to great effect to illuminate his story, becoming a metaphor life’s big questions… He uses the medium he knows so intimately to transcend the private, and present theatre with universal resonance… ”

—Marsha Lederman, Globe and Mail

Show Credits

Produced by The Chop Theatre

In collaboration with The Elbow Theatre

By Itai Erdal in collaboration with James Long, Anita Rochon & Emelia Symington Fedy

CAST
Itai Erdal

PRODUCTION TEAM

Director
James Long

Lighting Design
Itai Erdal

Video Design
Jamie Nesbitt

Sound Design
Emelia Symington Fedy

Original Composition
Andrea Young

Dramaturge
Anita Rochon

Stage Manager
Donna Soares

TD / PM
Itai Erdal

Reviews.

Trailer

Itai Erdal - 2024 Siminovitch Prize Finalist

Showtimes

SAT, MAR 15

7:30 PM

SUN, MAR 16

2:00 PM

.

TUE, MAR 18

7:30 PM

.

WED, MAR 19

7:30 PM

.

THURS, MAR 20

7:30 PM

.

FRI, MAR 21

7:30 PM

.

SAT, MAR 22

2:00 PM

.

SAT, MAR 22

7:30 PM

Ticket Prices

Section A+:
$49

Section A:
$44

Section B:
$39

Section C:
$29

Pay What You Choose: MAR 16
We are thrilled to offer pay-what-you-choose pricing for select performances!
We encourage you to pay as you can to help support the creation of this show.
 
Available on: MAR 16
Cultch Connects

The Cultch Connects Program provides complimentary tickets to community organizations and social service groups. It also offers complimentary tickets to individuals and families who may otherwise face barriers to attending Cultch performances. To request Cultch Connects tickets, please email [email protected]

This program is made possible with the support of our generous donor community. Learn more about what your donation can do for our community.

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