Tao of Glass
Philip Glass & Phelim McDermott
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On tour now
Factory International, Improbable and Nica Burns present the West End premiere of Tao of Glass, composed by Philip Glass, written by Phelim McDermott.
Running at @sohoplace from 24 July – 12 September 2026.
Visit @sohoplace's website below to book your tickets.
About
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 world 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.
Commissioned by Factory International, Manchester, Improbable, Perth Festival, Ruhrfestspiele Recklinghausen, Hong Kong New Vision Arts Festival and Carolina Performing Arts – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in association with Naomi Milgrom AO. Tao of Glass originally premiered at Manchester International Festival 2019.
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International Presentations
West End, London
24 July – 12 September 2026
@sohoplace
Hong Kong
26 – 29 October 2023
Hong Kong City Hall
New York, United States
30 Mar–8 Apr 2023
Skirball NYU
North Carolina, United States
24 – 25 March 2023
Memorial Hall
Recklinghausen, Germany
3 – 5 Jun 2022
Ruhrfestspielhaus
Recklinghausen, Germany
3 – 6 May 2020
Ruhrfestspielhaus
Perth, Australia
19 – 23 Feb 2020
Heath Ledger Theatre
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Every so often your eyes will fill with tears, for there is only so much that the human heart can hold within it.
Guardian
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An exploration of the mystery of artistic creation that’s marvellously entertaining and deeply touching
The Telegraph
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This was a mesmerising, unique and utterly compelling premiere, and must be seen as one of the Manchester International Festival’s greatest achievements.
Gallery
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Podcast
Credits
Philip Glass Composer
Phelim McDermott Writer & Co-director
Kirsty Housley Co-director
Fly Davis Designer
Colin Grenfell Lighting designer
Giles Thomas Sound designer
Commissioned by Factory International, Manchester, Improbable, Perth Festival, Ruhrfestspiele Recklinghausen, Hong Kong New Vision Arts Festival and Carolina Performing Arts – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in association with Naomi Milgrom AO. Tao of Glass originally premiered at Manchester International Festival 2019.