Cahoots NI
The Vanishing Elephant
Sunday, March. 30 | 4 PM
Drama Theatre | Woodward D. Pealer Performing Arts Center
Cahoots NI / Photo credit: Gorgeous Photography
“[An] alluring spectacle ...” (The New York Times/Critic’s Pick)
A Heartfelt Journey of Friendship from Bengal to Broadway
Pack your trunk for a jumbo journey with Jenny the elephant! Watch in wonder as this puppet pachyderm grows from tot to teen to towering adult in an unforgettable tale of enduring friendship.
Janu the elephant is born in Bengal, India, in the 1900s. Full of curiosity about the world around her, Janu’s life changes dramatically when she is captured and separated from her family. Forced to learn the ways of humans, she is trained to work on clearing the jungle to allow for the building of India’s railways. Although the training is hard, she soon befriends a young, orphaned boy, Opu. It is this friendship that lies at the heart of The Vanishing Elephant.
When she is sold to a circus in America, Janu – who has been renamed “Jenny” – carries the memory of Opu deep within. Her strange journey across the sea brings her to a new world filled with many adventures and people, including the great Harry Houdini, who plans to make Jenny magically disappear from the stage of the Hippodrome in New York City. Meanwhile, far away in India, Opu is now an old man. Despite his ill health, when he recognizes his dear friend in a newspaper story, he makes the same difficult boat journey once made by Jenny. On the Hippodrome stage, they meet again one last time where – together –they are part of an amazing and moving theatrical vanishing.
Inspired by true events, this moving story of love, belonging and what it means to be “home” comes to life through large-scale “Warhorse”-style puppetry – including a baby elephant, a young adult elephant, a fully grown adult elephant and a tiger – original music, authentic dance and magical illusion. During its fall 2023 presentation by New York’s legendary New Victory Theater, The New York Times named it a Critic’s Pick, stating, “This alluring spectacle ... which aims to dazzle audiences age 8 and older, makes powerful statements about the rights of both animals and human beings.”
Founded in 2001 and based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Cahoots NI creates theatrical magic with a distinctive, innovative style that combines magic and illusion, large-scale puppetry, physical theatre and original music and choreography. Their bold, original productions are designed to inspire a sense of wonder, unlock imaginations and nurture a love of the arts in children.
The Vanishing Elephant Study Guide
ARTS BEYOND THE STAGE
CES INTERNATIONAL FLAVORS
Community Dinners
Flavors of India Community Dinner
Wednesday, March 26 | 4:30-8 PM
FSU Chesapeake Dining Hall
Experience new flavors and discover dishes inspired by the rich, aromatic regional cuisines of India with an all-you-care-to-eat buffet at FSU’s Chesapeake Dining Hall.
Registration is requested to assist Chartwells chefs in preparing a sufficient quantity of servings.
$14.75 per person, plus tax. Payment taken at the door; cash and credit accepted.
OFFSTAGE WITH WFWM
Cahoots NI Photo credit: Gorgeous Photography
OFFSTAGE WITH WFWM
Immediately after the performance, Chuck Dicken, station director of FSU’s National Public Radio affiliate station WFWM-FM joins the artists for a lively conversation with audience members. Meet the artists of Northern Ireland’s Cahoots NI and hear behind-the-scenes tales about the creation of The Vanishing Elephant.
ARTS FOR THE SCHOOL DAY
Photo credit Gorgeous Photography
Cahoots NI
The Vanishing Elephant
Monday, March 31 | 10 AM
Drama Theatre | Woodward D. Pealer Performing Arts Center
YOUTH $10 | CHAPERONE $10 | EDUCATORS FREE
Tri-state regional educators are invited to bring their students to the FSU campus to attend a school-day performance of Cahoots NI in The Vanishing Elephant.
Reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Attendees must provide transportation to and from the FSU campus.
Why not make a day of it? Remain after the performance and take time to explore the FSU campus. Spaces can be reserved for school groups to enjoy lunch.
Educators are also invited to register for post-performance educational events developed by the staff at FSU’s Children’s Literature Centre.
Children's Literature Centre School-Day Educational Activities
Monday, March 31
Children's Literature Centre | FSU Education & Health Science Center
Join Children's Literature Centre staff after the performance of The Vanishing Elephant for fun and meaningful post-show extension activities.
Free. Attendance is limited and registration is required.
