Jump to content


promotional image for a play

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

18 - 22 Sep 2018 (Past)

Space Upstairs, Project Arts Centre



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

Starring Darragh Kelly as the Dad. Darragh recently starred in Striking Out (RTE), opposite Neil Morrissey. He was an original member of Fair City playing the role of Tony Kelly and has also appeared in Ballykissangel, The Clinic and Mrs Brown’s Boys D’Movie. He will next be seen in TV3’s The Bailout, due for release later this year.

Anna Sheils-McNamee plays the Daughter. Anna recently appeared in Vikings (History), and just finished playing Ophelia as part of Pan Pan’s Abbey debut, Playing the Dane, the Rehearsal.

London based director Gemma Aked Priestly has directed off West End plays and has assisted on regional theatre. My Dad’s Blind is her Irish debut.

For further information and press photography contact Producer Donncha O’Dea on 087 785 7736 or email mydadsblind2018@gmail.com


Categories:
Audiences

Tags:
Anna Sheils-McNamee
Dublin Fringe Festival
My Dad's Blind
Project Arts Centre