The Elephant's Journey Home

The Magician's Elephant

The elephant’s thread moves from unwanted displacement through captivity and recognition toward a magical return to her own world.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Unwanted Arrival Unwanted Arrival from "The Magician's Elephant". Unwanted Arrival A sudden displacement A spell meant to produce lilies instead brings an elephant crashing through the Bliffendorf Opera House roof.

Unwanted Arrival from "The Magician's Elephant". Unwanted Arrival A sudden displacement A spell meant to produce lilies instead brings an elephant crashing through the Bliffendorf Opera House roof.

Unwanted Arrival A sudden displacement A spell meant to produce lilies instead brings an elephant crashing through the Bliffendorf Opera House roof. The magician’s spectacular success becomes the elephant’s involuntary catastrophe. A creature made captive The elephant is chained in a stable, bewildered and far from the world she knows. Her first clear realization is that she does not belong where she has landed.

The Ballroom Prison The Ballroom Prison from "The Magician's Elephant". The Ballroom Prison Display instead of refuge Countess Quintet moves the elephant into her ballroom and makes her the centre of the social season.

The Ballroom Prison from "The Magician's Elephant". The Ballroom Prison Display instead of refuge Countess Quintet moves the elephant into her ballroom and makes her the centre of the social season.

The Ballroom Prison Display instead of refuge Countess Quintet moves the elephant into her ballroom and makes her the centre of the social season. Visitors crowd around, touching and shouting at a creature with no choice in the matter. Homesickness deepens The noise, smoke, and confinement estrange the elephant from grass, shade, family, and sun. She stops repeating her name and begins to wish she could die.

A Boy Understands A Boy Understands from "The Magician's Elephant". A Boy Understands A look of recognition Peter reaches the elephant through the crowd and asks for help finding his sister.

A Boy Understands from "The Magician's Elephant". A Boy Understands A look of recognition Peter reaches the elephant through the crowd and asks for help finding his sister.

A Boy Understands A look of recognition Peter reaches the elephant through the crowd and asks for help finding his sister. When she opens her eyes, he sees that she is heartbroken and needs to go home. A second promise Peter promises to help her, though he has no plan and doubts his ability. Seeing her suffering turns the search for Adele into a duty toward another lost being.

A Way Out

A Way Out A door opened Peter, Leo Matienne, and their companions knock at the Elephant Door. Bartok Whynn recognizes the figures from his dream and allows them to take the elephant. The procession moves The elephant leaves the ballroom and follows Peter through Baltese’s snow-covered streets. What had been an exhibit becomes a shared effort to return her to the magician.

The Spell Reversed The Spell Reversed from "The Magician's Elephant". The Spell Reversed A final attempt The magician speaks the spell backward while circling the elephant.

The Spell Reversed from "The Magician's Elephant". The Spell Reversed A final attempt The magician speaks the spell backward while circling the elephant.

The Spell Reversed A final attempt The magician speaks the spell backward while circling the elephant. He cannot promise success, but the group has brought together the conditions he says he needs. Departure without spectacle The elephant vanishes, leaving footprints in the snow. Peter hopes she is home; the people who helped her must accept that they cannot follow her beyond the spell.

The night of the opera performance

After Countess Quintet acquires the elephant

Late on the first Saturday viewing day

During the snowy night at Countess Quintet's Residence

After midnight, outside Baltese Prison