Theatre: My Dad’s Blind by Anna Sheils-McNamee at Dublin Fringe Festival

Inspired by raw audio recordings, this is a true story about Anna’s blind Dad. A darkly hilarious, irreverent look at what happens when a parent loses his sight while his family lose their minds.

Misplaced pity is examined in all its guises. A master and slave take us on this journey of sight-loss and family dysfunction and all the embarrassing, awkward, ridiculous ways they try to function in a sighted world with a blind Dad and a guide dog that just had a stroke.

Artists Statement:
Growing up people told me my Dad was ‘amazing’, which didn’t make any sense to me. He’s pretty boring – he works a 9-5 and watches Coronation Street in the evenings. I soon realised they were only saying this because he was blind. I wrote this play in response to that. However, this show ain’t no Ted Talk! Imagine Judy Bloom was a Kardashian and grew up with an epileptic guide dog – then you’ll be closer to the tone of this show.

“…they just want to hear you’re blind, feel sorry for ya a bit, then hand over the cash to make themselves feel better…”

“…it can be a bit of an advantage though, can’t it? Like I bet Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles were at an advantage being blind when they were starting out, they’re inspiration porn…”

Co-produced with Pan Pan Theatre. Funded by The Arts Council/An Chomairle Ealaíon. Developed at FRINGE LAB with the support of Dublin Fringe Festival.

Venue: Space Upstairs, Project Arts Centre
Preview 18th September at 18.15pm,  Tickets €11.
19th – 22nd September at 20:45pm, Tickets €16 / €14 concession.
Matinee Performance: 22nd September, 13:00pm.
Duration 70 minutes.

http://www.fringefest.com/festival/whats-on/my-dads-blind