Sightless Cinema ‘made of audio shorts where all the pictures are in your head’

Sightless Cinema returns to Tallaght to present a new immersive show Home at The Civic Theatre.

Made of “audio shorts where all the pictures are in your head,” Home goes through different genres, from the introspective “Homeward Bound,” telling the story of two brothers inheriting the family farm after their mother dies, to the comic “Sleep”, set in a sleep study clinic where insomniacs and sleepwalkers rule the night.

Other live comedy and live audio performances spice up the show, and “The Committee” tells the story of a village which needs a hero to be saved from falling apart.

The Sightless Cinema Network is an arts project allowing people with sight loss to devise and produce theatre, and to be involved in their community’s arts scene.

With groups in Tallaght, Meath and Laois, it’s supported by the Arts Council and Vision Ireland. Members of the three groups will all be performing in “Home”, which will go on stage two more times in Meath and Laois.

First established in 2015 under the direction of theatre-maker Ciarán Taylor, Sightless Cinema has presented eight original shows so far.

Its Tallaght branch has been based at Rua Red since 2017 and past shows in Tallaght venues have met with great reception.

2022 production “In the Dark” was described as “life changing” by a participant and “spectacular”, “thoroughly immersive” by the Meath Chronicle.

According to project director Ciarán Taylor, both visually impaired and sighted audiences love being immersed in the sounds of stories, especially when they are created live, and “have great fun with the variety of pieces.”

“We’ve set ourselves the challenge of collaborating across the Leinster region,” he added. “We hope to establish a model for arts participation for people with disabilities, to build demand for more opportunities to experience the arts, and to pave the way for a national network of Sightless Cinemas.”

Home goes on stage at The Civic Theatre in Tallaght on Monday, October 14, at 7pm.

Tickets are between €8 and €12, and can be booked by calling 01 462 7477 or online at civictheatre.

Blindfolds will be provided to the audience.