World Premiere

The Blinding Light

BY HOWARD BRENTON.

DIRECTED BY TOM LITTLER.

6 September -
14 October 2017

Overview

“You – miserable, mean, scribbler of a man. You’re quoting from that play you put me in.”

Howard Brenton’s play tells the astonishing story of Strindberg’s ‘Inferno’ period. For four years in fin-de-siècle Paris, Europe’s most famous playwright vanished. When he reappeared, his new plays changed theatre forever.

Abandoning theatre, living a life of squalid splendour, Strindberg practises alchemy. In his hotel room, he attempts to make gold by finding the philosopher’s stone. As his grasp of reality weakens his first two wives visit him to bring him to his senses. But their interventions spin out of control. And – are they really his wives at all?

Multi award-winning playwright Howard Brenton has written numerous plays for the National Theatre, RSC, Shakespeare’s Globe, Hampstead Theatre and the Royal Court. He was also lead writer on the early seasons of Spooks (BBC). The Blinding Light was specially commissioned by Jermyn Street Theatre.

Director Tom Littler is Artistic Director of Jermyn Street Theatre. His previous productions of Howard Brenton’s Bloody Poetry and Dances of Death were highly acclaimed.


People

Gala Gordon
Frida
Gala has appeared on stage at the Young Vic, Jermyn Street Theatre, and Soho Theatre, and on television as Christine Keeler in The Crown.
Susannah Harker
Siri
Susannah is known for playing Jane Bennet in the BBC's Pride and Prejudice; her onstage work includes shows at the National and Hampstead Theatres.
Laura Morgan
Lola
Laura has performed at the Hampstead Theatre and has been seen on Netflix's Black Mirror.
Jasper Britton
August Strindberg
Jasper has performed at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Curve, Watermill, Hampstead, NT, and in numerous productions at the RSC.

Howard Brenton
Playwright
Stella Powell-Jones
Associate director
Cherry Truluck
Set design
Emily Stuart
Costume design
Max Pappenheim
Music and sound design


Media

“It is altogether a great treat ... Fabulous.”
Libby Purves
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“A beautiful piece of theatre.”
The Reviews Hub
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“A cracking new play ... Jasper Britton's superlative performance.”
The Independent
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“This rich new play by Howard Brenton juggles big themes with breathtaking agility ... A treasure.”
The Times
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“A magnetic cast ... mesmerising.”
The Daily Mail
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“Littler pitches proceedings perfectly.”
The Financial Times
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Arts Desk
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London Theatre 1
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London Box Office
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