Drama group stages With Eyes Closed

October 28, 2021 — Sight Life members have once again challenged perceptions of what people with sight loss can do by taking to the stage. In conjunction with Company of Sirens, the charity’s drama group has developed and performed a theatre piece entitled “With Eyes Closed” in Cardiff’s Llanover Hall.

The hour long performance is based on the experiences of and written by people ranging in age from their 20s to 60s who live with vision impairment on a daily basis. The piece developed from a series of taster drama workshops supported by the Llanover Hall Charity and performances run from October 27th to 30th.

Writing on website Get The Chance, Reviewer Barbara Hughes-Moore said: “The performers are all so natural on the stage that I was stunned to learn this was their first foray into acting … Tales affecting in their simplicity, are told with honesty, joy, and laughter.”

Few if any of the performers had previous drama experience, but thanks to Arts Council Wales and National Lottery funding, had the support of Company of Sirens’ directors Chris Durnall and Angharad Matthews. Stacey Blythe provided live music, Alastair Sill audio description and Cara Hood lighting and sound.

“With Eyes Closed” was written and performed in memory of Ffion Miles, a member of Sight Life’s drama group, who died in January 2021.