My Eyes Went Dark - Finborough Theatre
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
Written and directed by Matthew Wilkinson, My Eyes Went Dark receives its world premiere at the Finborough Theatre, where it runs from Tuesday, August 25 to Saturday, September 19, 2015.
Inspired by real events, My Eyes Went Dark was originally developed with the support of The National Theatre Studio.
I’m not saying he wasn’t put in a dreadful position. But it’s an inescapable fact he did it. He commanded those pilots to dive. To their deaths. Whatever the reasons.
Nikolai Koslov avenges the death of his family in a plane crash – by killing the air traffic controller he holds responsible. Maintaining he can’t remember his crime, Nikolai serves four years in a Swiss prison before being suddenly released. Back home in Ossetia he’s greeted as a national hero and is even given a ministerial position.
But grief and remorse cannot stay buried forever…
My Eyes Went Dark is performed by Thusitha Jayasundera and Cal MacAninch.
Thusitha Jayasundera most recently appeared in Behind The Beautiful Forevers (National Theatre) as well as filming a regular role in the new BBC drama Doctor Foster. Nominated for the Ian Charleson Award and a veteran of the National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company, she has starred in four series of Above Suspicion and was a series regular in Holby City and The Bill.
Cal MacAninch has played Hamlet at the Glasgow Citizens, performed in Anna Karenina with Shared Experience and most recently appeared on stage as Robbie Ross in The Judas Kiss by David Hare at the Duke of York’s Theatre. His numerous leading roles in television and film include Banished, Mr. Selfridge, Garrow’s Law, Downton Abbey, Rockface and Warrior.
Matthew Wilkinson’s previous plays include Sun Is Shining (King’s Head Theatre, BAC Time Out Critics’ Choice Season and 59E59 Theaters, New York), Red Sea Fish (Brighton Pavilion Theatre and 59E59 Theaters, New York) and co-author of the UK adaptation of Hideki Noda’s Red Demon (Young Vic and Tokyo).
Wilkinson’s short films have screened internationally, including official festival selections in London, Berlin, Paris, Siena and Nashville. He trained at RADA and has worked in theatre, film, TV and animation.
NB: 10% of any profits from the production will go to The Forgiveness Project, an organisation committed to restorative justice.
Tickets: Until September 6: £16, £14 concessions, except Tuesday evenings £14 all seats, and Friday and Saturday evenings £16 all seats. Previews (August 25 and 26) £12 all seats. £10 tickets for Under 30’s for performances from Tuesday to Sunday of the first week when booked online only. £12 tickets for residents of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea on Saturday, August 29, 2015 when booked online only.
Tickets: From September 8: £18, £16 concessions, except Tuesday evenings £16 all seats, and Friday and Saturday evenings £18 all seats. To book, call the box office on 0844 847 1652 or visit www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk/.
Times: Tuesday to Saturday evenings at 7.30pm; Sunday matinees at 3pm; Saturday matinees at 3pm (from September 5).
Running Time: Approximately 80 minutes with no interval.
Also at the Finborough Theatre: Kieran Knowles’ Operation Crucible (until August 22) and the world premiere of Steven Hevey’s We Know Where You Live (until August 18, 2015).