World Premiere
The Blinding Light
DIRECTED BY TOM LITTLER.
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
Frida
Siri
Lola
August Strindberg
Playwright
Associate director
Set design
Costume design
Music and sound design
Media
“It is altogether a great treat ... Fabulous.”
“A beautiful piece of theatre.”
“A cracking new play ... Jasper Britton's superlative performance.”
“This rich new play by Howard Brenton juggles big themes with breathtaking agility ... A treasure.”
“A magnetic cast ... mesmerising.”
“Littler pitches proceedings perfectly.”
“Brenton charts Strindberg's psychotic breakdown with flair in a compelling and at times hilarious play.”
“Excellent performances by all four actors.”