The Vanishing Elephant
CAHOOTS Theater Company
Monday, March 10th, 2025
7:00 p.m.
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Wise County Performing Arts Center at J.W. Adams Combined School
10824 Orby Cantrell Hwy, Pound, VA 24279​
Tickets: $15 at the door
Children and students admitted free​
Opu, a young boy in Bengal, dreams of one day 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 many challenges–fearsome encounters, stormy seas and strange new worlds. Years in the future, Opu, now an old man, hears that world famous magician Harry Houdini will vanish an elephant, live on stage in New York City. Could it really be Janu, Opu’s old friend, so far from home? He,
too, must bravely make the long journey into the unknown to find out.
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This moving story of friendship, belonging, and one incredible journey from Bengal to the bright lights of Broadway was named the New York Times ‘Critic’s Pick’, hailing it “an alluring spectacle."
Cahoots is a theatre company based in Belfast, Ireland producing boldly innovative work for children and their families at home and across the globe. Cahoots NI (Cahoots) was founded by Paul Bosco Mc Eneaney and Zoe Seaton in November 2001. At this time, it was evident that the perception of theatre for children was far behind the times in post-conflict Northern Ireland. Funding and programming for children simply was not being prioritised and Cahoots was determined to change this! In the years since, the company has developed a unique and distinctive performance style concentrating on combining the visual potential of theatre with the age-old popularity of magic and illusion. Cahoots’ work spans a range of genres, from scripted theatre to non-verbal work, dance pieces, immersive experiences, musicals, circus and more.​​​​​​​​​​​​
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Pro-Art partners with a variety of venues, therefore individuals with accessibility needs or general questions are encouraged to call (276) 376-4520 or email the Pro-Art office at pro-art@uvawise.edu. For evolving conditions related to weather cancellations, or similar unforeseen circumstances, patrons are encouraged to check proartva.org for up-to-date information.
Pro-Art is supported in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as the C. Bascom Slemp Foundation, The University of Virginia’s College at Wise, Mountain Empire Community College, the Columbus Phipps Foundation, and the Lee County Community Foundation.
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