Hampstead Theatre has introduced the complete solid for the UK premiere of Alexis Michalik’s critically acclaimed, The Art of Illusion. Having premiered in Paris in 2014, the place it’s nonetheless enjoying at the moment, this new staging translated by Waleed Akhtar and directed by Tom Jackson Greaves opens at Hampstead Theatre Downstairs on 17 December and runs till 28 January.
The Art of Illusion will characteristic Rina Fatania, Bettrys Jones, David Langham, Norah Lopez Holden, Brian Martin and Kwaku Mills. The manufacturing is designed by Simon Kenny with sound design by Yvonne Gilbert.
“It’s a matter of perception. The hands of time turn at the same speed for everyone. Yet a child waits what seems to be an eternity for summer, whilst an old man watches a year pass in the blinking of an eye”
In 1984, because the France vs Yugoslavia match unfolds on TV, a person meets a lady in a Parisian café. He is returning a bag that she misplaced on the Paris Métro, however he doesn’t reveal he stole it. Instead, he tells her the story of Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin, watchmaker, inventor, and grasp magician of the nineteenth century. Together they got down to discover a vanished theatre beneath a financial institution vault within the Boulevard des Italiens, to interrupt right into a museum within the Trocadero, to uncover the thriller of the Mechanical Turk, to witness the start of the kinetograph… and to delve ever deeper into the artwork of phantasm.
Alexis Michalik’s The Art of Illusion received three Molière Awards when it premiered in 2014. A Franco-British actor, author and director, his different performs embrace Le Porteur d’histoire, Edmond and Intra Muros.
Alexis Michalik stated:
“I’m massively excited that The Art of Illusion can have its UK premiere at Hampstead Theatre this December.
“I’ve always been drawn to the fascinating world of magic and The Art of Illusion is inspired by the lives of two great French illusionists – Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin, who is often credited as being the inventor of modern magic, and Georges Méliès, who became famous as one of the most productive inventors of film and cinema. It’s a play full of love, dreams, wonder and magic and I can’t wait to see it on stage in London.”
Waleed Akhtar’s writing for theatre consists of The P Word (Bush) and Kabul Goes Pop: Music Television Afghanistan (Brixton House/Mercury Theatre and HighTide).
Tom Jackson Greaves is a director and choreographer whose latest work has included Whistle down the Wind; The Jungle Book (Watermill); Rent (Hope Mill Theatre); Amelie (West End) and Priscilla Queen of the Desert (UK tour).
Rina Fatania performs Catherine. Her latest theatre work consists of Favour (CleanBreak Company, Bush); Sheila’s Island (UK tour) and NW Trilogy (Kiln). Television work consists of Nolly; Wanderlust and People Just do Nothing. Film work consists of Little English and Raabta (Bollywood Film).
Bettrys Jones performs April. Theatre work consists of Red Ellen (Northern Stage); Bagdad Café (Old Vic) and Wise Children (Old Vic). Film work consists of Cyrano and Private Peaceful.
David Langham performs Watchmaker. David’s latest theatre work consists of Peter Pan (Troubadour); Edmond de Bergerac (Birmingham Rep) and Pinocchio (National Theatre). Film work consists of Lord of Misrule; The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight and The Phantom of the Opera. Television work consists of The Larkins (collection 2); Pennyworth (season 3) and His Dark Materials (seasons 1 & 2).
Norah Lopez Holden performs Georges. Theatre work consists of Hamlet (Young Vic); Equus (Theatre Royal, Stratford East) and The Winter’s Tale (Shakespeare’s Globe).
Brian Martin performs December. His theatre credit embrace Distinguished Villa and Jane Clegg (each Finborough); King John (RSC) and The Lieutenant of Inishmore (Noël Coward). Film work consists of My Policeman; Pompeii and The Cocaine Famine.
Kwaku Mills performs Jean. Theatre work consists of King Lear (Shakespeare’s Globe); Queer Upstairs (Royal Court) and Perspective (National Theatre). Film work consists of The Trouble with Jessica and tv work consists of Urban Myths: The Trial of Joan Collins; The Other One (Season 2) and I Hate You.