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The Illusion
Freely adapted by playwright Tony Kushner, "The Illusion" triumphs as a thoroughly modern rendering of Pierre Corneille's neoclassical French comedy, "L'Illusion Comique." Tthis adaptation offers readers the exquisite wordplay, beguiling comedy and fierce intelligence found in all of Kushner's work. "The Illusion" 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: names change, allegiances shift and fairy-tale simplicity evolves into elegant tragedy. Pridamant watches, enthralled by the boy's struggles, but only as the strange tale reaches its conclusion does the father confront the ultimateand unexpectedtruth about his son. An enchanting argument for the power of theatrical imagination over reality, "The Illusion" weaves obsession and caprice, romance and murder, fact and fiction, into an enticing exploration of the greatest illusion of alllove.
96 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1994
4 people are currently reading
327 people want to read
About the author
Tony Kushner
100 books477 followersTony Kushner is an award-winning American playwright most famous for his play Angels in America, for which he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize. He is also co-author, along with Eric Roth, of the screenplay of the 2005 film Munich, which was directed by Steven Spielberg and earned Kushner (along with Roth) an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 26, 2024
Tony Kushner cooked with this one like I loved it so so bad
it’s such an unserious story but there’s like these lil nuggets of really beautiful and sentimental prose, it was great I wanna read it again
it’s such an unserious story but there’s like these lil nuggets of really beautiful and sentimental prose, it was great I wanna read it again
October 17, 2017
Tony Kushner’s free adaptation of Corneille’s The Theatre of Illusion is quite cleverly done. Whereas Corneille’s original has the theatric illusion just at the end, Kushner has each scene being part of that illusion (though it’s not immediately recognizable). That serves to greatly enhance the theme of the play.
For the most part, language and poetry (in the limited places where it is used) are very good and lively. I wish Kushner had used more poetry. He handles it very well. The play deftly uses heightened language without seeming trite or sarcastic.
Kushner was very free with this adaptation, and he notes in the beginning that virtually no lines are an intentional translation from Corneille’s original French. And although he takes many liberties, he hews closely to the original story. And that’s sort of the problem. This is a great idea tacked on to a rather weak, melodramatic love vehicle. The idea of a wizard showing a man his long-lost son performing various plays is brilliant, but the plays-within-the-plays are rather clichéd and the characters (other than the father) never really come to life for me. This is a fascinating idea deserving a more contemporary twist. It could have said much more about the theatric experience.
That said, the play is not all light and happiness. Like Corneille’s original, the ending is ambiguous. The wizard takes the father’s tear as a sign of feeling for his son – a breakthrough that he might change his ways. But not long later, the father leaves unsure he’ll even bother to visit his son in Paris. He even forgets his son's name by the end.
Overall, though, a very good play. It’s hard to blame it for not doing enough when it’s already done so much. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys drama. (And I recommend Corneille’s original version. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2011
an interesting and adept adaptation...
it is a strange script and at times hard to follow
but manages to make a case for the power and significance
and magic of theatre and there are also places in the script that are clearly indictments
of bourgeoisie theatre audiences... interesting....
it is a strange script and at times hard to follow
but manages to make a case for the power and significance
and magic of theatre and there are also places in the script that are clearly indictments
of bourgeoisie theatre audiences... interesting....
May 15, 2022
I LOVE THIS PLAY FROM MY FIRST READ!
Thanks to Ms.LH for recommending the play to me. As a longtime fan of Tony Kushner's work (the first monologue I ever performed was his Angels in America), this one again did not disappoint me and makes me admire him more. The language is poignant and poetic, classic yet accessible. I really appreciate that Tony Kusher (shoutout to Brain Kulick, the director of the first production and the chair of Columbia graduate theatre program, who brought the play to attention) adapts a French baroque piece into modern American to revitalize the classic. Without his effort, I cannot imagine how such a great story will be lost through time. I like the storytelling style of Tony Kushner and the effect of "a play within a play" (amazing and unexpected ending). Many lines are so well written that are worth memorizing. I hope to see this play live and how the same actor portrays three different characters that are essentially the same person (if you read the play, you know what I mean ;).
I'll drop a line that resonates with me:
"What in this world is real and not seeming? Love, which seems the realest thing, is really nothing at all..." (69). Isn't this so true in our lives?
I chose this play for my "reading like a director project", which means that I will read this play three times and each time for different specifics. My first read centers on the plot, characters, and language. I'm starting off to my second read, which is noting the technical level of the play *(i.e. setting, props, costumes, entrance and exits, special effects...), and the third read focus on the theme, casting, idea, and challenges.
Thanks to Ms.LH for recommending the play to me. As a longtime fan of Tony Kushner's work (the first monologue I ever performed was his Angels in America), this one again did not disappoint me and makes me admire him more. The language is poignant and poetic, classic yet accessible. I really appreciate that Tony Kusher (shoutout to Brain Kulick, the director of the first production and the chair of Columbia graduate theatre program, who brought the play to attention) adapts a French baroque piece into modern American to revitalize the classic. Without his effort, I cannot imagine how such a great story will be lost through time. I like the storytelling style of Tony Kushner and the effect of "a play within a play" (amazing and unexpected ending). Many lines are so well written that are worth memorizing. I hope to see this play live and how the same actor portrays three different characters that are essentially the same person (if you read the play, you know what I mean ;).
I'll drop a line that resonates with me:
"What in this world is real and not seeming? Love, which seems the realest thing, is really nothing at all..." (69). Isn't this so true in our lives?
I chose this play for my "reading like a director project", which means that I will read this play three times and each time for different specifics. My first read centers on the plot, characters, and language. I'm starting off to my second read, which is noting the technical level of the play *(i.e. setting, props, costumes, entrance and exits, special effects...), and the third read focus on the theme, casting, idea, and challenges.
January 31, 2023
The discussion we had in class for this play is one to go down in the books. If you think you know what you're getting into with this one, think again!
This is another one where the title doesn't come full circle until the end, and even then, it took me a little too long to get the punchline. Although on the surface level it's easy to understand, the more you think about this one, the less it makes sense. It's mind-boggling in the worst sense because it makes you say, "Of course! Why didn't I think of that?"
It's really interesting going into this play and knowing it's going to be a form of metatheater, and despite that, still convincing yourself that what you're witnessing is true to life. It's a fascinating thing, the audience, and the lengths it will go to submerge itself into the life of the theater.
Overall, I was very impressed and glad to add another of Kushner's works to my read list. Good reminder to not believe everything you see, remember that the surgeon can be the son's mother, and to always take your pills.
This is another one where the title doesn't come full circle until the end, and even then, it took me a little too long to get the punchline. Although on the surface level it's easy to understand, the more you think about this one, the less it makes sense. It's mind-boggling in the worst sense because it makes you say, "Of course! Why didn't I think of that?"
It's really interesting going into this play and knowing it's going to be a form of metatheater, and despite that, still convincing yourself that what you're witnessing is true to life. It's a fascinating thing, the audience, and the lengths it will go to submerge itself into the life of the theater.
Overall, I was very impressed and glad to add another of Kushner's works to my read list. Good reminder to not believe everything you see, remember that the surgeon can be the son's mother, and to always take your pills.
June 5, 2018
An actor gave me this play and said it was his favorite play and he was on a life-mission to produce it.
The first 95% of the text, I felt like, oh, this is an interesting and playable script. Kushner's adaptation is delightful to read aloud. Fine.
The last couple pages, though, definitely pushed it into the category of, WOW. I can't say more without spoiling it (and although I'm usually not one for spoiler alerts, this is a text that would be spoiled too much). Now I'm ready to join him on his quest to produce this thing!
The first 95% of the text, I felt like, oh, this is an interesting and playable script. Kushner's adaptation is delightful to read aloud. Fine.
The last couple pages, though, definitely pushed it into the category of, WOW. I can't say more without spoiling it (and although I'm usually not one for spoiler alerts, this is a text that would be spoiled too much). Now I'm ready to join him on his quest to produce this thing!
August 3, 2024
What a fun read! I had looked up some background and saw an interview with Kushner where he said this was the only play he had written at the time that was structured to have a twist ending. Of course, I was wondering what the twist would be the entire time I was reading it. When it occurred in the text, I couldn't help myself but smile. I can't believe I hadn't heard of this play before. I can see why it would be a popular read in high schools. In some ways, it reminded me of a Lisa Kron play.
May 10, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
Daddy issues a saga ft. funny magician guy in a cave and The Parenting Crisis??
Confusing but banger plot twist I giggled those 16th century French playwrights kinda ate. Tony Kushners prose took me by surprise and made the hilariously poignant ye olde text a bit less daunting to approach.
Daddy issues a saga ft. funny magician guy in a cave and The Parenting Crisis??
Confusing but banger plot twist I giggled those 16th century French playwrights kinda ate. Tony Kushners prose took me by surprise and made the hilariously poignant ye olde text a bit less daunting to approach.
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February 6, 2022Isabelle
January 27, 2023
This play was so good and trying not to spoil but the ending is a real facepalm moment. When you know you know.
January 25, 2024
lowkey ate
April 10, 2025
funny haha
January 2, 2009
I like to read beyond my comfort level. The play The Illusion by Tony Kushner, an adaptation of the Pierre Corneille metaplay from 1636 fits the bill. It is deceptively short but requires one's full attention.
Unfortunately for me, I chose to read it while I was sick in bed. The first time I read it, I didn't understand it and I hated it. But, the play is short (sixty or so pages) and my initial reaction irritated me. So today with a clear head, I re-read the play and loved it.
The gist of the play is this: a man goes to a wizard to find the son he disowned decades earlier. The man is old and in need of an heir to wrap up his affairs. The wizard shows him his son and a variety of tragic events. Somewhere in all of that lies the truth. Like the father, I didn't get what the wizard was illustrating the first time I read it. The second time, with a clear head, it was obvious and very funny.
I don't want to give away the ending because it's the perfect conclusion to the play. Get yourself a copy and read it or better yet, maybe you'll be lucky enough to see it performed. I suspect the twist will be more obvious when seen live.
Unfortunately for me, I chose to read it while I was sick in bed. The first time I read it, I didn't understand it and I hated it. But, the play is short (sixty or so pages) and my initial reaction irritated me. So today with a clear head, I re-read the play and loved it.
The gist of the play is this: a man goes to a wizard to find the son he disowned decades earlier. The man is old and in need of an heir to wrap up his affairs. The wizard shows him his son and a variety of tragic events. Somewhere in all of that lies the truth. Like the father, I didn't get what the wizard was illustrating the first time I read it. The second time, with a clear head, it was obvious and very funny.
I don't want to give away the ending because it's the perfect conclusion to the play. Get yourself a copy and read it or better yet, maybe you'll be lucky enough to see it performed. I suspect the twist will be more obvious when seen live.
December 9, 2011
At first I thought it was pretentious and overly symbolic in the way that Tony Kushner can occasionally get, then I got into it and was 1)curious about why it was all weird (which made it seem pretentious) and 2)anxious to find out what happened.
When I found out, I laughed--no, guffawed! out loud and other people in the street stared at me but it was unavoidable.
When I found out, I laughed--no, guffawed! out loud and other people in the street stared at me but it was unavoidable.
November 14, 2010
Not sure if it is Kushner's adaptation or Corneille's writing but I loved this play. The sensibility is earnest and sly, comic and tragic at the same time. I want to read another of Corneille's plays and see if lightening strikes twice.
April 4, 2015
I actually really enjoyed this! The humor was witty and the ending had a really nice "twist" I wonder how much is Kushner's adaption and how much is the original play. Either way, I'd love to do this as a staged play.
November 19, 2016
My lord, but I love this play!! I would kill to direct a production; it is just extraordinary--in its weirdness, it beauty, and its fabulous twist ending. I saw an excellent production of this at the Chautauqua Institute, and it was simply captivating. Some day...
March 9, 2008
I do not regret accidentally reading the Tony Kushner freely adapted adaptation of The Illusion.
September 23, 2017
OCU 1998
Actor AwesomeJohn made Mom's & my jaws drop in the opening scene.
Actor AwesomeJohn made Mom's & my jaws drop in the opening scene.
March 6, 2014
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2012
A really nice play and I enjoyed all the food metaphors.
November 22, 2012
Good play... a little too drawn out for the ending it had, but still good.
April 2, 2008
so good. funny too.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews