Blindness

The impact of Coronavirus on the theatre industry and those working in it has been severe, so it was fantastic news to hear that the Donmar Warehouse were creating a socially distanced sound installation. Blindness is an adaption by Simon Stephens of José Saramago’s dystopian novel, featuring binaural sound recorded by the Ringham brothers. I was delighted to be asked to take production photography and capture the recording of piece featuring the actor Juliet Stevenson and the binaural microphone, nicknamed 'Trevor'. The Donmar had its normal seating removed, audience members were seated two meters apart, face covers had to be worn and people wore sanitised headphones for each production. It was claustrophobic, terrifying and brilliant. I saw it several times in order to take the photos, and each time I was entranced. It got a range of excellent reviews, so much so that the run was extended by two weeks.

Juliet Stevenson with binaural microphone 'Trevor'.

Production credits:

Directed by Walter Meierjohann
Sound Designered by Ben and Max Ringham
Designed by Lizzie Clachan
Lighting Designer Jessica Hung Han Yun
Production Consultant Professor Hannah Thompson