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"Improbable is one of the brilliant faces of British Theatre"
The Observer
Tao of Glass
Produced by Manchester International Festival, Improbable, and the Royal Exchange Theatre
Commissioned by Manchester International Festival, Improbable, Perth Festival, Ruhrfestspiele Recklinghausen and Carolina Performing Arts – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
An exploration of life, loss and a single question: Where does true inspiration come from?
Composer Philip Glass and performer-director Phelim McDermott have worked together on acclaimed opera productions in London, New York and beyond, and Tao of Glass is their most personal collaboration yet. Inspired by a dream, this world premiere marries ten meditations on life, death and Taoist wisdom with ten brand new pieces of music from Glass, presented by McDermott with an ensemble of musicians and puppeteers.
Part-concert, part-performance, Tao of Glass is a storytelling tapestry, soundtracked by Glass’s mesmerising music and shot through with Improbable’s trademark theatricality.
Read Phelim’s interview with Bachtrack about the project.
Tao of Glass’ world premiere will be part of the Manchester International Festival 2019 programme.
#TaoOfGlass
Dates
Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester – Thu 11 – Sat 20 July 2019 (tickets here)
Previews: Thu 11 – Sat 13 July 2019
Relaxed performance: Thu 18 July, 2.30pm
Captioned performance: Thu 18 July, 7.30pm
BSL-interpreted performance: Fri 19 July, 7.30pm
Audio-described performance: Sat 20 July, 2.30pm
May contain strong language
Creative Team
Philip Glass – Composer
Phelim McDermott – Writer & Co-Director
Kirsty Housley – Co-Director
Fly Davis – Designer
Colin Grenfell – Lighting Designer
Giles Thomas – Sound Designer
Ragnar Freidank – Collaborator
Chris Vatalaro – Musical Director
Jen Tan – Assistant Director
Lyndie Wright – Puppet Designer & Puppet Maker
Camille Etchart – Design Associate
Sorcha Steele – Sound Associate
Performers
David Emmings – Puppeteer
Janet Etuk – Puppeteer
Phelim McDermott – Performer
Jack McNeill – Ensemble (Clarinet)
Rakhi Singh – Ensemble (Violin)
Katherine Tinker – Ensemble (Piano)
Chris Vatalaro – Ensemble (Percussion)
Sarah Wright – Puppeteer & Puppet Co-ordinator
Current Productions
Improvisation Workshop with Guy Dartnell and Alex Murdoch
This 4-day workshop is for performers who are curious about live improvisation, whether you're interested in doing improvisation as part of a theatre practice or using these skills in other areas of performance.
Future Sounds
A new three-year programme of opera and music theatre work. From the stories we tell to the process used to tell them, join Improbable in creating music and opera that is in - and of - the moment.
Tao of Glass
An exploration of life, loss and a single question: Where does true inspiration come from? This new collaboration between Philip Glass and Phelim McDermott marries ten meditations on life, death and Taoist wisdom with ten brand new pieces of music.
Through the Door
A series of improvisation workshops for women & non-binary folk, exploring impro in theatre, comedy, storytelling, devising, making and writing.
