Local rural touring scheme Arts Alive, in collaboration with Herefordshire based theatre company Open Sky, are delighted to present The Disappearing Act - a dark, delirious and magical cabaret performed by three female performers in their twenties, forties and sixties.

Based on true stories from female performers, The Disappearing Act tells the story of magician’s assistant Edie Rose at different stages of her career. Using visual physical theatre, new writing, song, puppetry, object manipulation and magic tricks, the show explores themes of sexuality in performance, motherhood, the hopefulness of youth, the wisdom of experience, love, loss, identity and how women culturally ‘disappear’ as they age.

At 40 years old, magician’s assistant Edie Rose, is finally hosting her own show. To assist she conjures up two versions of herself, one younger and one older. Together the three Edies re-examine the loves, hopes and losses of her life using séance, mentalism and dark, mysterious magic. The audience is taken to defining moments of her life with “striking theatrical invention” (The Stage), physical theatre and prop manipulation.

Founded in 2012 by Claire Coaché and Lisle Turner, Open Sky combine new writing with visual, physical theatre and work with local, national and international artists. They cleverly create work that is accessible to both rural and urban audiences.

“The play was so sensitive, inspiring, clever and touching. I identified with so many parts of it and came away with a knowing that my older self is going to be fine. What a gift to give your audience.” Audience feedback for The Disappearing Act

See The Disappearing Act at The Market Theatre in Ledbury (07967 517125/themarkettheatre.com) on Saturday, November 9 at 8pm, and at the Steiner Academy (01981 540221) in Much Birch on Friday, November 22 at 7.30pm.