My Dad’s Blind – National Tour (audio description)

My Dad’s Blind by Anna Sheils-McNamee
In association with Pan Pan Theatre Company
Supported by Arts Council of Ireland, Fighting Blindness and NCBI

Centering on a dysfunctional relationship between a blind father and his sighted daughter, My Dad’s Blind uses audio recordings, irreverent comedy and real life memories to explore a father daughter relationship and all the awkward, embarrassing and ridiculous ways they struggle to navigate a sighted world with a guide dog that’s just had a stroke.

Starring Steve Blount (Game of Thrones – HBO/Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope – RTÉ/Minding Frankie – Breda Cashe Productions) and Anna Sheils-McNamee (Vikings – HISTORY/The Importance of Nothing – Pan Pan Theatre Comapny) Directed by Gemma Aked-Priestley

Artist 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 Lauren from The Catherine Tate show (“…am I bothered…”) was a Kardashian and grew up with an epileptic guide dog – then you’ll be closer to the tone of this show.

“…at its core lies an astringent comic sensibility and a lively theatrical imagination, brought to life by the energetic performers. All in all, a singular vision of a potentially difficult subject…” ★★★★ – The Irish Times

“…feels more authentic than anything this reviewer has seen at the Fringe in years…” ★★★★ – The Reviews Hub

National Tour Dates
30th and 31st July – Abbey Theatre on the Peacock Stage
3rd – 7th September – Civic Theatre, Tallaght, Dublin 24*
11th September – Town Hall Theatre, Galway *
12th September – VISUAL, Carlow*
18th September – Ballina Arts Centre, Co Mayo*
19th September – Wexford Arts Centre*
20th September – Ramor Theatre, Virginia, Co Cavan*
24th September – glór, Ennis, Co Clare*
26th September – Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny*
28th September – An Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny, Co Donegal*

*Audio Description is provided by Arts & Disability Ireland on these dates. Audio Description on the national tour is sponsored by Fighting Blindness. Fighting Blindness fund world-leading research into treatments and cures for blindness, while caring for people and families through counselling and peer to peer support services.