Part of MIF19
Produced by Manchester International Festival, Improbable and Royal Exchange Theatre
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.
#TaoOfGlass
Commissioned by Manchester International Festival, Improbable, Perth Festival, Ruhrfestspiele Recklinghausen and Carolina Performing Arts – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Produced by Manchester International Festival, Improbable and the Royal Exchange Theatre.
Photo: Christian Sturm
VENUE: The Theatre
PERFORMANCE DATES: Thursday 11 July - Saturday 20 July 2019
PERFORMANCE TIMES: Matinees, 2.30pm / Evenings, 7.30pm. Previews: 11, 12 and 13 July
View all times & dates
RUNNING TIME: Approx. 2 hours and 30 minutes, which includes one interval of 20 minutes.
TICKET INFORMATION: Standard Tickets £15 - £41. Preview tickets £8 - £36.
Concessions for Greater Manchester residents on a lower wage £10 - only available via MIF
View all Royal Exchange Theatre ticket prices
PLEASE NOTE: May contain strong language
BOOK TICKETS: Book Online or call the Box Office on 0161 833 9833
![]() |
Members get Priority Booking for each season as well as for additional events. You can find out about Membership here. With your support, we can make brilliant theatre, tell stories, nurture new talent, and help as many people as possible get involved. |
COMPOSER Philip Glass
WRITER, PERFORMER & CO-DIRECTOR Phelim McDermott
CO-DIRECTOR Kirsty Housley
DESIGNER Fly Designer
LIGHTING DESIGNER Colin Grenfell
SOUND DESIGNER Giles Thomas
DOCUMENTARY MAKER & COLLABORATOR Ragnar Freidank
PUPPETEER David Emmings
PUPPETEER Janet Etuk
PERFORMER Phelim McDermott
PUPPETEER/PUPPET CO-ORDINATOR Sarah Wright
ENSEMBLE (CLARINET) Jack McNeill
ENSEMBLE (VIOLIN) Rakhi Singh
ENSEMBLE (PIANO) Katherine Tinker
ENSEMBLE (PERCUSSION) Chris Vatalaro
If you require our BSL, Audio Described or Captioned services, please book directly with Box Office. This is because there are often specific seats, which are held for each show to ensure you have the best experience possible,
You can call on 0161 833 9833 or email at box.office@royalexchange.co.uk
AUDIO-DESCRIBED PERFORMANCE: Saturday 20 July, 2.30pm
BSL PERFORMANCE: Friday 19 July, 7.30pm
CAPTIONED PERFORMANCE: Thursday 18 July, 7.30pm
RELAXED PERFORMANCE: Thursday 18 July, 2.30pm
Click here for more information about our accessible performances