The acclaimed Donmar Warehouse production “Blindness” is now being presented at the Daryl Roth Theatre in Union Square in New York City through July 25. The special theatrical presentation is based on Nobel Prize-winner Jose Saramago’s dystopian novel of the same name. The adaptation is by Tony Award®-winning playwright Simon Stephens.
In the play - as in the novel - an epidemic of unexplained complete vision loss takes over the city, and the government responds by placing -- and ultimately neglecting -- newly blind citizens in abandoned buildings. But one unaffected woman witnesses and frees one group of newly-blind citizens who have been locked in an empty mental hospital.
No actors are present for the performance, instead, audience members wear headphones and listen to the recorded narration by the actor Juliet Stevenson while surrounded by immersive lighting and atmospheric design.
"Blindness" is directed by Walter Meierjohann with sound design by Ben and Max Ringham, designed by Lizzie Clachan, and lighting design by Jessica Hung Han Yun.
Juliet Stevenson was awarded the CBE for her work in drama and has received the Laurence Olivier Award for best actress. Her film credits include “Truly Madly Deeply,” “Mona Lisa Smile,” “Being Julia,” and “Bend It Like Beckham.”
