From New York to Belfast’s Grand Opera House, Cahoots, presents, The Vanishing Elephant, at the 62nd Belfast International Arts Festival – tickets on sale now!
2nd August, 2024
Mark 31st October – 2 November in your diary for the European premiere of, The Vanishing Elephant, presented by Northern Ireland theatre company, Cahoots, at the Grand Opera House, as part of the 2024 Belfast International Arts Festival. The show, which is supported by funding from The National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, received critical acclaim at its premiere in New York at The New Victory Theater in 2023, and now’s your chance to see this extraordinary show in Belfast!
This moving story of friendship and what it means to be ‘home,’ reflects on topics of migration, displacement, new beginnings and acceptance - all told through the eyes of an astonishing Asian elephant. Don’t miss this incredible show this autumn – buy your tickets now at www.belfastinternationalartsfestival.com
Watch the Arts Council video with Cahoots below.
Cahoots’ Artistic Director Paul Bosco McEneaney said,
“Bringing The Vanishing Elephant European premiere to the Grand Opera House as part of the Belfast International Arts Festival is a very special moment and one of which we are incredibly proud. There are so many elements of this show that audiences of all ages will connect with - live music, incredible puppetry from Helen Foan and a global, beautiful story. Its messaging of tolerance, acceptance, kindness and friendship is perhaps more relevant than ever. We are lucky to be working with such a talented line-up of performers, crew and creatives that will make this piece a true stand-out.”
In Bengal, a young boy named Opu dreams of becoming an elephant trainer. When he befriends Janu, an Asian elephant, their friendship is the first step on an adventure so huge, it spans decades and continents. On their separate paths, they face fearsome encounters, stormy seas and strange new worlds. Years later, Opu, now an old man, learns that world famous magician Harry Houdini will vanish an elephant, live on stage in New York… could it really be Janu?
Inspired by the famous ‘vanishing elephant’ trick performed by Harry Houdini in New York in 1918, Cahoots’ magical story of friendship, belonging and adventure is brought to life with extraordinary puppetry and astonishing illusions.
Caoileann Curry-Thompson, Arts Development Officer for Drama and Dance at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said,
“The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is proud to support Cahoots, thanks to The National Lottery Players. This critically acclaimed, award-winning company creates the most imaginative, magical and inspiring theatre for children and young people, and I am thrilled to see present their wonderful production, The Vanishing Elephant, this October at the Grand Opera House as part of the 62nd Belfast International Arts Festival. Congratulations to all involved.”
Tickets are available to buy now at www.belfastinternationalartsfestival.com
Cahoots is the leading professional theatre company producing work for children in Ireland. Since beginning operations in 2001, Cahoots has produced original, critically acclaimed work for children including, ‘When We Were Wild’, Cinderella: The Midnight Princess’, ‘The Ghost House’, ‘The Grimm Hotel’, ‘Under the Hawthorn Tree’, ‘Secrets of Space’, ‘Shh! We have a Plan’, ‘The University of Wonder and Imagination’, ‘Penguins’ and ‘Egg’ with many shows having toured internationally including China and the USA. For more information visit www.cahootsni.com or follow Cahoots on social media @CahootsNI (Facebook/X) and @cahoots_ni (Instagram).
