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Cahoots NI presents

The Vanishing Elephant

Presented in association with Buxton Opera House

Wed 18 to Sat 21 Jun 2025

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. 

This moving story of friendship, belonging and one incredible journey from Bengal to the bright lights of Broadway was named a Critics Pick in the New York Times, hailing it an ‘alluring spectacle.