An overview of the play

Out of Context presents
Grey Elephants in Denmark

All New Cast! All New Experiments!


Script and direction Chaitanya Tamhane
Associate director Sudeep Naik
Art design Somnath Pal & Arun Kumar
Light Design Sananda Mukhopadhyay
Poster design Jagruti Dadia
Music Design Asmit Pathare
Choreography Pooja Pant


Cast
Vivek Gomber
Puja Sarup
Pramod Pathak
Vinay Shukla
Hardik Sangani
Pooja Pant
Sarita Shirodkar
Sudeep Naik
Mitesh Dedhia
& others


Production Design
Pooja Talreja
Vinay Shukla

Backstage Co-ordinator
Mitesh Dedhia


About the Form

Grey Elephants in Denmark is a freewheeling, random and quirky character piece. The play has been designed as an intimate experience where each audience member will take back a different memory of the play. Internationally acclaimed Psychological illusions will be performed live with the audience making it highly interactive and experiential. Leading mentalists from all over the world as well as promising young artists from the city have come forward to collaborate on the play. It promises to be exciting, unpredictable and surprising all at the same time.


Synopsis

Grey Elephants in Denmark is a character study of a partially intelligent and partially talented performing artist. A highly evolved and well read individual close-up illusionist, the performer belongs to the rare breed of magicians who truly understand the difference between 'puzzles' and 'mysteries' performed at kids' birthday parties and real magic which is nothing short of great art.

The play traces his psychological journey from the age of 13 till he reaches his blissful sixties. His magic evolves from cheesy stage magic to elegant and highly deceptive contemporary close-up magic, finally leading him into mentalism (a style of magic showcasing abilities emulating psychic phenomena or mind-reading by combining magic, psychology, showmanship and misdirection). With high standards of aesthetics, stagecraft and performance, he theorizes and philosophizes passionately about what magic should be.


The play is performed in Hindi / English.
Duration: Approx. 110 minutes with interval.


About Out of Context

The group has done substantial work in chronicling set design and documenting theatre auditoriums in Mumbai. Grey Elephants in Denmark is the eighth play being produced under the Out of Context banner, which has previously produced plays like Yaar, Whats the Capital of Manipur; Collaborators; Sanjivani Super Show; Medha & Zoombish II; etc.

Snapshots









Photos by Venkat Damara

Press



Hindustan Times, June 2009.




Yuva, June 2009.




Mid Day, May 2009.



Asian Age, January 2009.



Times Of India, January 2009.



Bombay Times, January 2009.



DNA, January 2009.



Indian Express, January 2009.



Mumbai Mirror , December 2008.




Critical reception


“……promises to be intelligent entertainment.”
“GREY ELEPHANTS IN DENMARK is a very likeable play”
- Mumbai Theatre Guide


“The subject matter is unique and the audience is taken on a journey through the unfamiliar but always fascinating terrains of Magic.”
“……this could be one of the best plays to come out of 2009”
-The Script


“Don’t be surprised if the play leaves you with more respect for the tradition of magic than before.”
-Time Out


“This thought provoking play is a must see”
- Bombay Times

The Artwork


Poster designed by Jagruti Dadia


Artwork by Somnath Pal


Artwork by Somnath Pal

Artwork by Arun Kumar





Artwork by Arun Kumar




Fake Visiting Card designed by Anand Gandhi