On Blindness: The Door, Birmingham Rep

Birmingham

ON BLINDNESS
by Glen Cannon

Company: Frantic Assembly, Graeae and Paines Plough
Birmingham Repertory Theatre Door To 27 March 2004
7.45pm
Runs: 1hr 30min No interval
Review: Jan Pick: 26 March

Searing stuff not for the faint-hearted.
Sexually explicit language, occasional violence - Glen Cannon's On Blindness is challenging and powerful material. A frank exploration of the relationship between two couples and the complications caused by lack of communication and understanding, the play explores areas of impairment that go beyond the obvious physical barriers that can be caused by disability.

As the evening progresses it becomes clear that blindness does not just refer to the disability of Maria (Karina Jones), but to a more general blindness' to the needs and sensitivities of others.

This innovative and daring piece of work is performed by an ensemble of skilled actors who weave the consecutive stories of two couples over one evening with great sensitivity and dexterity, seamlessly picking up on each others' cues, questions and references over the 90 minute playing time.

Only the role of Gaetana (Mat Fraser) seemed slightly under-explored, and the actor did not really fit the description of an old' artist, which made one very violent, frightening moment lose a little of its impact.

Blending text with movement the company, formed from physical theatre Frantic Assembly, disability-actor company Graeae and text-based Paines Plough - who jointly developed this piece at the National Theatre Studio - aim to make their theatre accessible, using a variety of techniques to reach out and include all.

However, with the emphasis of this play very much on the visual and the complexities of the cross-cutting dialogue signing was part of the performance, shared between actors. People with visual impairment might find it more difficult to follow.

Using a very simple set a few chairs, a back screen, some glasses of wine and a covered portrait which was revealed to shocking effect during the play the story being told came vividly to life. Exciting, sexy and intense, this play was worth spending an evening with.

Edward: Scott Graham
Shona: Jo McInnes
Maria: Karina Jones
Greg: David Sands
Gaetano: Mat Fraser
Dan: Steven Hoggett

Directors:Vicky Featherstone, Scott Graham, Steven Hoggett, Jenny Sealey
Designer: Julian Crouch
Lighting: Natasha Chivers
Sound/Original Music: Nick Powell
Video Realisation: Tom Hadley

2004-03-29 13:06:32