Theatre Dims Lights, Amplifies Senses

Brazilian production immerses audiences in darkness at Edinburgh Fringe

In a radical departure from traditional theatre, audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe are being plunged into complete darkness to experience performances, heightening reliance on sound and smell for storytelling.

A World Beyond Sight

The Brazilian production “Another Sight” by Blind Theater (Teatro Cego) is pioneering this immersive approach. Actor Edgar Jacques prepares the audience for the unique experience, explaining that the blacked-out environment will engage other senses, allowing for a deeper connection with the performance.

Attendees are instructed to switch off all devices and proceed in single file, a hand on the shoulder of the person ahead, to navigate the intimate performance space.

Embracing the Dark

Jacques highlighted how the darkness provides an unparalleled sense of equality for blind performers. He stated,

“We open this universe for blind actors to play not just blind characters, but the good guy, the bad guy, the princess, the frog, everybody. So in the darkness, a blind person can be like anybody else.”

This allows actors to transcend physical limitations and explore a broader range of characters, unburdened by visual expectations.

Sensory Signatures

For sighted actors, like Ana Righi who plays Grace, the challenge is to amplify non-visual cues. She explained, speaking through a translator, that it changes “a lot of elements … especially using breathing to express emotions.” Actors utilize the subtle sounds of footsteps and their breath to convey character and emotion, as facial expressions and physical movement are rendered invisible.

The production intricately uses scents, such as coffee and stuffed peppers, as integral props. The distinctive tread of each actor’s footsteps also becomes a recognizable signature for their character, further enriching the sensory landscape.

Beyond “Another Sight”

This innovative production is part of a broader trend at this year’s festival, with venue group Zoo showcasing several shows designed for visually impaired audiences. Another theatre company, Extant, is collaborating with Sight Scotland and Visually Impaired Creators Scotland to offer three “enhanced” performances that include touch tours and audio descriptions.

Extant’s semi-autobiographical piece, “I Dream in Colour,” was written by blind writer Jasmin Thein, recounting her personal battle with a tumor that threatened her sight.

The performance of “Another Sight” itself delves into Brazil’s class system and the politics of disability, exploring the tense relationship between a wealthy woman undergoing cancer treatment and her maid, who returns to assist her.

Director Paulo Palado noted that the company’s approach, which lifts the restriction of blind actors only playing blind characters, was a revelation discovered 13 years ago. The company now boasts seven plays in this format, emphasizing that sensory perceptions, like artificial breezes or simulated rain, are crucial elements.

Palado added that in this context, blind and sighted individuals are placed on equal footing, receiving the same information without the need for traditional audio description. He stated,

“In this case audio description is not necessary because that language is for all.”

As of 2023, approximately 2.2 billion people worldwide live with a visual impairment, highlighting the growing relevance of accessible and inclusive artistic experiences like those found at the Edinburgh Fringe. (Source: World Health Organization)

“Another Sight” runs at Playground 2 at Zoo Playground from August 1st to 24th.