Albert Einstein said, “Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.” Einstein’s questionable knowledge of neoclassical French theater notwithstanding, this is precisely the theme of Pierre Corneille’s “L’Illusion Comique,” written two and a half centuries before Einstein was born. Stage Center Theatre is tackling the relationship between reality and illusion this semester in a production of “The Illusion,” an adaptation of Corneille’s play by Tony Kushner, directed by Northeastern faculty member Christopher Leonard.
In “The Illusion,” Pridamont, an aging and coldhearted lawyer, seeks out the infamous sorcerer, Alcandre, to find out what has become of his estranged son. What he gets is a series of visions featuring the image of his son. Pridamont, Alcandre, and her servant follow the young man through increasingly perilous rivalries and thorny romances. All the while, the young man’s identity is in question as his name changes repeatedly. When discrepancies and contradictions in the visions trouble Pridamont, Alcandre dismisses them offhandedly, saying one cannot expect coherence in visions when it is absent in life. Constantly, and quite literally, we are reminded that the threshold between reality and illusion can be crossed back and forth and consequently its boundaries are not at all definite. Not until the very end does Pridamont, as well as the audience, learn the truth about the prodigal son and his fate. And as far as twists go this one is certainly unexpected.
Kushner’s adaptation of Corneille’s original work focuses on the underlying themes and simplifies the language to allow them to resonate with modern audiences. At its core, “The Illusion” offers up both hilarious and tragic circumstances surrounded by a pressing question: what is reality?
The cast and crew transmit a sense of understanding of the importance of this question, especially as it relates to the stage. Though the existence of an indeterminate supernatural realm from where Alcandre’s conjured memories come from adds a mystical dimension to the story, it certainly does not make for an entirely fantastical setting in this production. Quite the opposite, it seems to heighten the awareness that things are not always as they seem. Magic can offer truth and often the things we perceive to be the most real of all, like love, turn out to be illusions. Theater is not just pretend.
The actors enthusiastically embrace the wit and irony that quite possibly make Kushner’s adaptation an improvement on the original. Their comedic timing is impeccable and makes this play not only thought-provoking, but hugely amusing as well.
The world of “The Illusion” is a magical place, an entertaining place, and above all, a very truthful place.
“The Illusion” runs Feb. 26-28, March 5-7 and 12-14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Stage Center Theatre in building F. For reservations contact the Stage Center Box Office at (773) 442-4274.