With Crystal Clear, “White Deer have mounted something big theatres don’t even try and attempt”. The company’s efforts to ensure the production is accessible to visually impaired audiences – including “fully integrated” audio description – have impressed critics and audiences alike. Check out review highlights and show photos – and then get booking!
Richard – a young man with diabetes – is struggling. As his health deteriorates, so too do his feelings for long-term partner Jane. He looks for comfort in the calming company of Thomasina, a poised and enigmatic blind woman. After Richard loses his own sight, however, his relationships with the two women unravel: things collapse between him and Jane, and his intense but ill-fated connection with the serene Thomasina takes a tragic turn.
In White Deer Theatre’s major new revival, PJ Stanley directs Gareth Kennerley as Richard, Rakhee Sharma as Jane and Gillian Dean, a visually impaired actor, as Thomasina. Originally devised by director Phil Young, Crystal Clear premiered at the Old Red Lion in 1982 before transferring to the West End’s Wyndham’s Theatre. Young went on to direct a television adaptation which aired on BBC One in 1988.
White Deer Theatre has worked closely with access consultant Amelia Cavallo, a blind performer, workshop facilitator, access consultant and academic. All performances of Crystal Clear will be accessible for visually impaired audience members, with audio description narrated live by the cast and pre-show touch tours.
Last week, I ventured to @ORLTheatre to see #CrystalClear. It was an utterly unique and beautiful experience for many reasons. The setup of the theatre and the set was incredible, you really felt so immersed and a part of the action. The benches we were sat on reminded me (1/10) pic.twitter.com/P3X2oj0CKl
— Lucinda Chaplin (@lucinda_chaplin) July 29, 2019
Show photos
Photography by Lidia Crisafulli.
Review highlights
