“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.
Cahoots was formed in 2001 and has been locally and internationally celebrated for its distinctive style of theatre combining magic, illusion, physical theatre and original music. Cahoots’ vision is to inspire a sense of wonder, unlock imagination and nurture a love of theatre in children and young people.
Cahoots is supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Belfast City Council and Dormant Accounts Fund NI, delivered by the National Lottery Community Fund.
