Tao Of Glass
Tao Of Glass Trailer
Phelim McDermott performs dramatically in a costume made of crumpled paper, under focused stage lighting.
Phelim McDermott. Photo by Johan Persson.
Phelim McDermott stands with arms outstretched, holding a booklet, illuminated by stage lights.
Phelim McDermott. Photo by Johan Persson.
A woman plays the violin while a man plays the clarinet, both illuminated by blue lighting.
The company of Tao Of Glass. Photo by Johan Persson.
A group of eight people stands around a piano, engaged in conversation, against a dark background.
The company of Tao Of Glass. Photo by Johan Persson.
A woman in a dark outfit holds a puppet, while two others assist her on stage.
The company of Tao Of Glass. Photo by Johan Persson.
A man reads a script while two women interact with a puppet in a dark stage setting.
The company of Tao Of Glass. Photo by Johan Persson.
Phelim McDermott and three performers interact with translucent sheets, illuminated by blue stage lighting.
Phelim McDermott. Photo by Johan Persson.

Tao Of Glass

Venue

@sohoplace

An exploration of life, loss and a single question: Where does true inspiration come from?

Composer Philip Glass and performer-director Phelim McDermott (Improbable) have worked together on acclaimed opera productions in London, New York and beyond, and Tao Of Glass is their most personal collaboration yet. Inspired by a dream, this West End premiere marries ten meditations on life, death and Taoist wisdom with ten brand new pieces of music from Glass, presented by McDermott with an ensemble of musicians and puppeteers.

Part-concert, part-performance, Tao Of Glass is a storytelling tapestry, soundtracked by Glass’s mesmerising music and shot through with Improbable’s trademark theatricality.

Closing

12/09/2026

Running Time

2 hours and 30 minutes, including interval

Genre

Concert, Entertainment

Age & Content

12+ | A valid Ticket is required for all persons attending the Theatre, regardless of their age. For all productions, children under the age of 15 are required to be accompanied by a responsible adult in seats adjacent to each other.

Cast:

Phelim McDermott

Sarah Wright as

Puppeteer & Puppet Captain

Janet Etuk as

Puppeteer

Vic Llewellyn as

Puppeteer & Understudy Phelim

Andrew Futaishi as

Understudy Puppeteer

Creative:

Musical Director & Percussion -

Chris Vatalaro

Pianist & Musical Director -

Katherine Tinker

Clarinet -

Jack McNeil

Violin -

Kasia Ziminska

Percussion -

Daniel Bradley

Deputy Pianist -

Satoshi Kubo

Deputy Clarinet -

Oli Pashley

Percussion -

Simon Roth

Deputy Violin -

Nadine Nagen

Composer -

Philip Glass

Writer & Co-Director -

Phelim McDermott

Co-Director -

Kirsty Housley

Musical Director -

Chris Vatalaro

Designer -

Fly Davis

Lighting Designer -

Colin Grenfell

Sound Designer -

Giles Thomas

Associate Musical Director -

Katherine Tinker

Associate Director -

Peter Relton

Associate Lighting Designer -

Matt Lever

Puppet Designer & Puppet Maker -

Lyndie Wright

Costume Supervisor -

Zoe Thomas-Webb

No accessibility performances are currently scheduled for this show.