Building on a successful tradition of new work created by the RSC for family audiences at Christmas, the company will present The Magician’s Elephant, a musical adaptation of Kate DiCamillo’s novel by Nancy Harris and Marc Teitler, directed by Sarah Tipple.
The Magician’s Elephant tells the story of orphan Peter Augustus Duchenne who lives a frugal life in the lonely town of Baltese. Then one day, a magician conjures an elephant from the sky. The animal’s appearance sets off a chain of events so remarkable, so impossible, that it changes Baltese forever. Peter is catapulted into the quest of his life, overturning everything he ever thought he knew, and discovering that happiness can come from the most unexpected places.
RSC artistic director Gregory Doran said:
“The beautifully crafted storytelling of Kate DiCamillo’s The Magician’s Elephant ensures that Shakespeare’s spirit of interrogation, invention and creativity is alive and well in the most exciting creative voices of today.”
The role of Peter will be played by Jack Wolfe, whose theatre credits include Sweeney Todd (Lyric Belfast), Pinocchio (National Theatre) and The Witcher (Netflix). The production will run from 29 October 2020 to 17 January 2021.
Nancy Harris and Marc Teitler said: “While we’re thrilled at the prospect of creating a mesmerising theatrical experience for RSC audiences, it’s the emotional truth and compassion at the heart of the story that really resonates with us and is what makes it an urgent and hopeful one for our time.”
