Archived: Blindness

Auckland Writers Festival, in partnership with Auckland Live, presents the Donmar Warehouse production of Blindness. A socially-distanced sound installation and immersive theatre experience direct from the UK. Voiced by Juliet Stevenson.

32 Performances:
TUESDAY 11 MAY: 6.30PM, 8.15PM
WEDNESDAY 12 MAY - SUNDAY 16 MAY: 10AM, 12PM, 2.15PM, 4.15PM, 6.30PM, 8.15PM

Blindness, the adaptation of Nobel Laureate José Saramago’s 1995 novel of the same name, written by Tony Award-winning playwright Simon Stephens and directed by Walter Meierjohann, was originally staged at London’s Donmar Warehouse. It was the first production to be delivered to a paying public following the UK’s first COVID-19 lockdown.

As the lights change at a major crossroad in a city in the heart of Europe, a car grinds to a halt. Its driver can drive no more. Without warning or cause, he has gone blind. Within hours, it is clear that this is a blindness like no other. The blindness is infectious. Within days the epidemic has spread through the city. The government tries to quarantine the contagion by herding the newly blind people into an empty asylum. But their attempts are futile. The city is in panic.

The multi-award-winning creators conceived the innovative story as a sound and light installation. It’s experienced through headphones, in socially-distanced pairs, under glowing fluorescent lights expertly designed by Jessica Hung Han Yan. With a gripping narration by Juliet Stevenson (Truly Madly, Deeply; Bend it Like Beckham), Auckland Town Hall’s Concert Chamber will become the theatrical epicentre of a society sent into free fall by a pandemic.

Previous and upcoming performances in London, New York, Washington, Toronto and Amsterdam

IMPORTANT NOTES

• Seating is in socially distanced pairs; in the event of a rise to COVID -19 LEVEL 2 , single tickets will need to be reallocated or refunded.

• Masks must be worn during the performance and will be available at the door.

• Production contains full blackout periods, bright light, loud noises and sensitive content.

• An audio-described channel is available if requested; please advise at time of booking.

• Wednesday 12 May, 10AM will be a captioned performance if requested; please advise at time of booking.

ORIGINAL CREATIVE TEAM:
Director: Walter Meierjohann, Designer: Lizzie Clachan, Sound Designers: Ben and Max Ringham, Lighting Designer: Jessica Hung Han Yun.

MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF AUCKLAND WRITERS FESTIVAL DONORS:

British Council New Zealand
Philip Carter
Gardner Family
Josephine & Ross Green
Lizanne & Julian Knights
Charlotte Lockhart & Andrew Barnes
Sir Chris & Lady Dayle Mace
Fran & Geoff Ricketts
Jenny & Andrew Smith
Mark Todd

32 PERFORMANCES. DURATION 75 MINUTES.
Click to individual ticket links:

TUESDAY 11 MAY: 6.30PM, 8.15PM
WEDNESDAY 12 MAY: 10:00AM, 12:00PM, 2.15PM, 4.15PM, 6.30PM, 8.15PM
THURSDAY 13 MAY: 10:00AM, 12:00PM, 2.15PM, 4.15PM, 6.30PM, 8.15PM
FRIDAY 14 MAY: 10:00AM, 12:00PM, 2.15PM, 4.15PM, 6.30PM, 8.15PM
SATURDAY 15 MAY: 10:00AM, 12:00PM, 2.15PM, 4.15PM, 6.30PM, 8.15PM
SUNDAY 16 MAY: 10:00AM, 12:00PM, 2.15PM, 4.15PM, 6.30PM, 8.15PM

IMPORTANT NOTES Seating is in socially distanced pairs; in the event of a rise to COVID -19 LEVEL 2, single tickets will need to be reallocated or refunded. Masks must be worn during the performance and will be available at the door. Production contains full blackout periods, bright light, loud noises and sensitive content. An audio-described channel is available if requested; please advise at time of booking. Wednesday 12 May, 10AM will be a captioned performance if requested; please advise at time of booking.