Northern Ireland theatre company Cahoots has launched its first original storybook to accompany its new production, The Vanishing Elephant. Written by Charles Way and illustrated by Sabine Dargent, The Vanishing Elephant tells the story behind Cahoots’ production of the same name, which debuted in New York last year to critical acclaim and is coming to Belfast this October.
The tale was inspired by an illusion performed in New York in 1918, whereby Harry Houdini vanished a five-tonne elephant live on stage. Moved by a visit to the theatre where the original act was performed, Cahoots Artistic Director Paul Bosco Mc Eneaney set about developing a backstory for this amazing elephant, bringing the audience to its beginnings in India and following its journey to the USA, with twists and turns along the way.
“The story of The Vanishing Elephant is about the challenge of displacement, and, ultimately, the power of kindness,” explains Paul Bosco Mc Eneaney. “In our production and now the book, we follow Janu, a majestic Asian elephant, as she befriends a young boy Opu in her home of India, from where she is taken and made to perform.
“We see Janu facing challenges that will resonate across the globe today, as she is forced to leave her home and treated unfairly along the way. The overarching theme though is kindness. Her strength of character shines and her friendship with Opu leads to a very special moment at the end of the story.
“This production felt like a natural storybook. Our long-time collaborator, playwright and author Charles Way and the incredibly talented artist Sabine Dargent developed a book that brings Janu’s journey to life in a beautiful way. We are extremely proud to see this, our first storybook in print, and it is our hope that it resonates with young readers, educators and community groups across the world.”
In 2023, The Vanishing Elephant opened in the New Victory Theater off Broadway featuring striking life-size puppetry by Puppetry Designer and Director Helen Foan and a talented international cast. The production was named ‘Critic’s Pick’ by the New York Times, an accolade seldom given to theatre for young audiences. The production is playing at this year’s Belfast International Arts Festival in the Grand Opera House (31st October – 2nd November).
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is the principal funder of Cahoots. Caoileann Curry-Thompson, Dance and Drama Officer at the Arts Council, commented: “As a long-time funder of Cahoots, we were delighted last year to support them in their journey to bring the wonderful story of The Vanishing Elephant to New York. Many of us will be familiar with Houdini and the tales of his fantastical magical tricks and none more incredible than his famous elephant. Audiences will be in for a real treat when the show opens in Belfast later this year.”
The book is available now via www.cahootsni.com and in some local independent bookstores including Arts for All (Cityside), Books Paper Scissors (Stranmillis) and the Linenhall Library. Tickets for the live production can be purchased via the Belfast International Arts Festival website or The Grand Opera House.
