''The Illusion'' is a play by

Tony Kushner Anthony Robert Kushner (born July 16, 1956) is an American author, playwright, and screenwriter. Lauded for his work on stage he's most known for his seminal work ''Angels in America'' which earned a Pulitzer Prize and a Tony Award. At the turn ...

, adapted from

Pierre Corneille Pierre Corneille (; 6 June 1606 – 1 October 1684) was a French tragedian. He is generally considered one of the three great seventeenth-century French dramatists, along with Molière and Racine. As a young man, he earned the valuable patronag ...

's seventeenth-century comedy, '' L'Illusion Comique''. It follows a contrite father, Pridamant, seeking news of his prodigal son from the sorcerer Alcandre. The magician conjures three episodes from the young man's life. Inexplicably, each scene finds the boy in a slightly different world where names change and allegiances shift. Pridamant watches, but only as the strange tale reaches its conclusion does he learn the ultimate truth about his son. ''The Illusion'' has a lighter mood than Kushner's most famous play, ''

Angels in America ''Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes'' is a two-part play by American playwright Tony Kushner. The work won numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the Tony Award for Best Play, and the Drama Desk Award for O ...

'', but the two plays share a love of poetic dialogue and theatricality.

Character list

* Pridamont of Avignon, a Lawyer * The Amanuensis, servant to Alcandre/ Geronte, father of Isabelle * Alcandre, a Magician * Calisto/ Clindor/ Theogenes, son of Pridamont * Melibea/ Isabelle/ Hippolyta, beloved/ wife of C/C/T * Elicia/ Lyse/ Clarina, maid/ friend of M/I/H * Pleribo/ Adraste/ Prince Florilame, rival of C/C/T * Matamore, a lunatic

Setting

The play is set in the 17th century in the dark cave of the magician Alcandre, near Remulac, a small town in the south of France.

Publication

''The Illusion'' is published by

Broadway Play Publishing Inc. Broadway Play Publishing Inc (BPPI) was established in New York City in 1982 to publish and license the stage performance rights of contemporary American plays. The Broadway Play Publishing Inc catalog consists of over 1,000 plays and nearly 400 ...

in the collection ''Plays By Tony Kushner'' as well as in an acting edition.

Citations

Kushner, Tony (31 December 2003). ''The Illusion''. Broadway Play Publishing Inc.

References

External links