Matei Vișniec’s Parable of Fascism, "The Pit", at Rehearsal for Truth Festival
- RCI USA
- May 30
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 13
About the Event
We are back at the Rehearsal for Truth Festival, the NYC showcase of Central European theater advocating the anti-totalitarian values exposed by Václav Havel, with The Pit, a compelling drama by prolific Romanian playwright Matei Vișniec, which serves as a stark allegory for the perils of fascism, groupthink, and dehumanization, themes that remain profoundly relevant today. In the play, written in 1988, in the terminal period of Communist dictatorships in Europe, two men find themselves trapped in a deep pit, grappling with their guilt, fears, and the looming threat of "snakes." Their confinement is disrupted by the arrival of a mysterious third man, who offers them a dubious chance to escape.
Directed by Ana Margineanu, the production features performances by Ian Edlund, Vas Eli, and Perri Yaniv, with movement direction by Răzvan Stoian.
The performance is part of the Rehearsal for Truth Festival 2025, themed "Perseverance," which presents contemporary Central and Eastern European theater. The festival, honoring the legacy of Václav Havel, runs from May 26 to June 15, 2025.
Join us for an evening of illuminating and timely theater that challenges audiences to reflect on burning issues of contemporary society. More HERE.
Meet the Writer
MATEI VISNIEC (Playwright) is a Romanian-French playwright, poet and journalist living in Paris, born in Romania in 1956. From an early age, he discovered literature as a space dedicated to freedom. He draws his strengths from Kafka, Dostoevsky, Poe, Lautréamont. He loves the Surrealists, the Dadaists, absurd and grotesque theater, surrealist poetry, fantastic literature, magical realism, even the realist Anglo-Saxon theater. He loves everything except Socialist Realism. Visniec studied philosophy at Bucharest University and became an active member of the so-called Eighties Generation, who left a clear stamp on Romanian literature. He believes in cultural resistance, and in literature’s capacity to demolish totalitarianism. Above all, Matéi Visniec believes that theater and poetry can denounce manipulation through "great ideas", as well as brainwashing through ideology. His plays have been staged in more than 20 countries. In Romania, after the fall of Communism, Matéi Visniec has become one of the most frequently performed authors. In the US, his works have been produced in New York, Chicago, New Jersey and LA.
Meet the Director
ANA MARGINEANU is a theater director who works both nationally and internationally. She graduated from The National University of Theatre and Film of Bucharest, Romania. Ana Margineanu is co-founder of PopUp Theatrics, a partnership creating immersive theatrical events around the world and in collaboration with international theater artists. She is a past resident of Women's Project Theater, LaGuardia Performing Arts Center and an alumnus of The Lincoln Center Directors Lab. Ana’s work has been presented and/or developed at the The Kennedy Center, 3LD Art & Technology Center, Working Theater, Urban Stages, NYTW, The Lark, Ensemble Studio Theater, The Secret Theatre and in numerous theaters and festivals in Europe, most notably: New Plays from Europe Wiesbaden, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, National Theatre Festival Bucharest, Sibiu International Theatre Festival. Called "one of the reigning queens of New York's highly intimate, one-shot-only, conceptual-based theater" by the NYC critic Randy Gener, Ana Margineanu is known for close cooperation with the local communities who are audiences for her work, highly metaphoric visual style, and ability to draw raw, visceral performances from her actors.
Meet the Actors
VAS ELI (Man 1) is an award-winning actor based in NYC. A multidisciplinary artist, he is also a director, writer, producer, dialect coach, educator and painter. He is the founder of BETTERFLY Productions (Zoom With Me, Far, Lemonking, The Sketchy Eastern European Show, When & Where). Theater: The Sketchy Eastern European Show (The Players Theater), Tamburlaine (TFANA), Jericho (Attic Theatre), Unearthly Visitants (Triskelion Arts), Island of Dr. Moreau (Piper Theatre), Splitfoot (Edinburgh Fringe), Lincoln Dress (Albany NY, Bucharest) / TV: Night Agent, FBI: Most Wanted, The Endgame, For Life, WeCrashed, The Deuce, The Blacklist / Film: Snakeeater, The Block, Varlet, Delenda, Hell House 2, Kidnapping of A Fish, The Naked Woman, Dominant Species, Far From Here.
www.Vaseli.org IG @vasileflutur
IAN EDLUND (Man 2) Ian Edlund is a Brooklyn-based actor. His credits include Kit Zauhar’s film, “This Closeness” as well as a number of award winning short films, including “Mixtape Marauders” “The Ref” and “Dream Creep.” Theatre credits include the recent premiere of Levon Hawke's "Picture Day" as well as collaborations with theatre artists such as Kedian Keohan, Ashley Tata and Taibi Magar.
PERRI YANIV (The Newcomer) is a New York native with over 40 theater production credits locally, regionally, and internationally. Recent Off-Broadway credits include the extension of Bedlam's revival of Tom Stoppard's Arcadia, spit&vigor's NYC-premiere production of Kelleen Conway's Blood Countess, and Marvell Repertory's revivals of The Dybbuk and Blood Wedding. He has performed in world premieres of works by John Patrick Shanley, Erik Ehn, Owen Panettieri, and most recently, Naren Weiss’ The Sketchy Eastern European Show with Vas Eli and Scott C Sickles’ Marianas Trench with Leviathan Lab. Film/TV credits include "The Blacklist" (NBC), "BEDLAM: The Series," "White Peacock," "Purity," "Delivery Hour" among others.
www.perribazyaniv.com IG @perriyaniv
Meet the Movement Director
RAZVAN ALEXANDRU STOIAN (Movement Director) is a visionary choreographer and performer celebrated for his compelling work with Battery Dance Company, including Icarus and Iron Dove. His performances and original choreographies have captivated audiences worldwide, showcasing his unique storytelling through movement. Dedicated to cultural exchange, Razvan led workshops fostering community and creativity, bridging diverse experiences with his vibrant and expressive dance style.
