written by Ben Maier | directed by Charlie Ely
“I can make… impossible things happen”
Jude Beringer thinks she’s going mad. Then she meets Leon, a young card magician who can make people disappear. What follows is a wildly entertaining journey through the minds of two young people surviving against the odds in the big bad city.
A Sudden Burst of Blinding Light is at once a delirious game-show, a witty and inventive exploration of mental illness, and a powerfully compassionate play about family, friendship and illusion.
Ben Maier is a writer and performer. He co-wrote and provided songs for A Dashing Fellow (New Diorama). Other credits include extensive work with Skinnybone Theatre and Wireless Mystery Theatre in Belfast. His one-man show An Imaginary Circus, produced by Belka Productions, went to the Edinburgh Fringe and had a UK tour. ‘Extraordinary energy and vitality… a tour de force’ – Edinburgh Guide on An Imaginary Circus
Zoo Southside, Edinburgh Fringe Festival (2015)
‘Frankie Valium […] croons with a wonderfully indulgent voice’ – Broadway Baby
‘The transformative power of love is what Ben Maier’s smart, elusive new play is really getting at’ – The Stage
‘Gutsy visuals and strong performances’ – The Stage
‘The production is a colourful, surreal and inventive look at how we regard and treat mental illness’ – The Edinburgh Guide
Audience tweets:
@LordPasola: #BlindingLight was brilliant in both senses of the word. Congrats @GreyGreenTheatr on an artful performance of a necessary piece of writing.
@jessbrien: @GreyGreenTheatr #BlindingLight bold, unnerving & genuinely entertaining. Brilliant performances all round @ZOOvenues
@feralfoxyladies: @GreyGreenTheatr #BlindingLight beautiful writing, fabulous acting & stunning imagery. Get yourselves down to last few shows!! #edfringe
@CharDunnico: @GreyGreenTheatr #BlindingLight is a great show! Pure magic
Cast
Loz Keystone – Leon
Ben Maier – Frankie Valium
Emma Sylvester – Fizz
Rosemary Terry – Jude
Jacob Ward – Terry
Production Team
Berengere Ariaudo de Castelli – Associate Producer
Charlie Ely – Director / Producer / Stage Manager
Patrick Goodden – Composer / Sound Designer / Deputy Stage Manager
Ben Maier – Playwright
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Rosemary Branch Theatre, London (2014)
All photographs (c) Oliver King Photography
Cast
Callum Cameron – Terry
Sam Caseley – Leon
Ben Maier – Frankie Valium
Emma Sylvester – Fizz
Elizabeth Mary-Williams – Jude
Production Team
Berengere Ariaudo de Castelli – Co-producer
Charlie Ely – Director / Co-producer
Patrick Goodden – Composer / Sound Designer / Stage Manager
Ben Maier – Playwright