Freely adapted by Tony Kushner from the original play by Pierre Corneille (1606-84), ‘The Illusion’ follows the story of the contrite lawyer Pridamant, seeking news of his prodigal brother from a sorceress. The sorceress conjures three episodes from the young man’s life. Each episode finds the brother in a different world as Pridamant watches, enthralled by his brother’s struggles.
An enchanting argument for the power of theatrical imagination over reality, ‘The Illusion’ weaves obsession and caprice, romance and murder, fact and fiction, into an enticing exploration of the greatest illusion of all – love.
‘”The Illusion” is Tony Kushner’s adaptation of a 1636 play by Pierre Corneille. It articulates the relationship between theatre and sorcery – Corneille’s chief concern here is a defense of his theatrical art – while pulsing with language that is recognisability Kushner’s own, lyrical and at times luxuriant.’ (London Evening Standard)
‘Rarely do two artistic pioneers collaborate when there is four-hundred years of distance between them. In that light, The Illusion is an uncommon delight.’ (Chicago Theater Beat)