Donmar Warehouse temporarily reopens with socially distanced installation

A socially distanced installation, based on dystopian novel Blindness by José Saramago, will open at the Donmar Warehouse from 3-22 August.

The hour-long installation, adapted by Simon Stephens and directed by Walter Meierjohann, will run four times a day with socially distanced seating.

As the lights change at a major crossroads in a city in the heart of Europe a car grinds to a halt. Its driver can drive no more. Suddenly, without warning or cause, he has gone blind. Within hours it is clear that this is a blindness like no other. This blindness is infectious. Within days an epidemic of blindness 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 audience will wear headphones to listen to the thrilling story, which is seemingly apt given the current pandemic we find ourselves in the midst of. All visitors need to wear a facemask for the duration of their time in the building, which will be thoroughly cleaned between each session. There will be a one-way system to navigate the venue and hand sanitising points around the building.

Star of stage and screen Julie Stevenson will voice the Storyteller/Doctor’s wife in the sound installation, which has been designed by Lizzie Clachan, with lighting by Jessiva Hung Han Yun and sound design using binaural technology by Ben and Max Ringham.

Audio described content will be available at every installation from 7 August and will be captioned on 15 August at 2pm

Donmar Artistic Director Michael Longhurst said: "Reading Simon's version of Saramago's extraordinary allegory about a government's and society's response to a pandemic, I knew this was a story we had to tell immediately. With indoor live performance not yet permitted, and social distancing measures reducing capacity, I am proud that the Donmar has risen to the challenge of producing work at this time.

“Our theatre has lain empty for so long, so I am delighted we can gather there for a unique and accessible experience after the isolation of Covid-19. I am so grateful to all of our loyal and passionate supporters who have made this possible through their continued generosity and incredible kindness during these testing times."

Tickets will be released for general sale on Friday 17 July at 12pm but Donmar members can book from Wednesday 15 July at 12pm.

For more information, please visit https://www.donmarwarehouse.com/