Blindness is the story of an unexplained mass epidemic of blindness afflicting nearly everyone in an unnamed city, and the social breakdown that swiftly follows. It is a story of hope courage and solidarity in the face of extreme adversity.
The installation uses binaural sound technology with a blend of lights and extended periods of darkness to explore new forms of immersion.
José Saramago’s Nobel Prize winning novel was adapted for the installation by British playwright Simon Stephens and features the acclaimed actress Juliet Stephenson. Blindness premiered at the Donmar Warehouse in the summer of 2020.
International Tour
After a 5 week run in London, Blindness went on a global international tour (Amsterdam, New York, Washington, Hong Kong, Toronto, Auckland, Singapore, Adelaide Festival, Galway International Festival), and was also presented in a Spanish version with the acclaimed Mexican actress Marina de Tavira (Roma) for the Teatro de Los Insurgentes in Mexico City.
“A triumph” - The New York Times
★★★★ “a deliciously unnerving experience” - The Guardian
“One of the most interesting plays that have been made this year, with strict sanitary protocol and social distance measures, Blindness” - El Pais (Mexico)
★★★★ “Artistically and technologically pioneering… Stevenson relays the story with her usual impeccable verbal poise” - Daily Telegraph
With the voice of Juliet Stevenson
Based on the novel by José Saramago
Adapted by Simon Stephens
Directed by Walter Meierjohann
Sound Designers Ben and Max Ringham
Designer Lizzie Clachan
Lighting Designer Jessica Hung Han Yun
Production Consultant Professor Hannah Thompson
Resident Assistant Director Sara Aniqah Malik
Worldwide Tour:
Carre Theatre Amsterdam
Hong Kong Arts Festival
Daryl Roth Theatre, New York
Shakespeare Theatre Company, Washington
Teatro de Los Insurgentes, Mexico City
Princess of Wales Theatre, Toronto
Esplanade Theatre, Singapore
Auckland,
Galway International Festival