The Dark is based on the book by Lemony Snicket, illustrated by Jon Klassen.

1. Adapted & Directed by: Daphna Attias
2. Designed by: Stewart J Chalesworth
3. Lighting design by: Jo Palmer
4. Costume design by: Amy Jackson
5. Music by: Yaniv Fridel & Ellie Isherwood
6. Movement Director: Ayse Tashkiran
7. Dramaturg: Maya Politaki
8. Access Consultant: Chris Campion
9. Cast: Charlie Hendren & Ellie Isherwood
10. Producer: Bridie Donaghy
11. Production Manager: Andreas Ayling
12. Technical Stage Manager: Tom Clutterbuck

A few years ago, I was doing my usual thing of scanning the children's section in a book shop looking for inspiration and I picked up this wonderful book by Lemony Snicket, with illustrations by Jon Klassen. I was immediately drawn to the striking images with the sharp geometrical shapes and play between light and dark on the page and the story of a boy overcoming his fear of the dark. We all have fears, adults and children. It's an instinctive emotion that both protects us and restrains us. I could hear the dark's voice in my mind and immediately knew this would be the company's first picture book adaptation.

Once we started exploring the idea of 'The Dark' we dived into research of vision loss and what it might mean both in life and on stage. Through extensive research with the ophthalmology departments in Great Ormond Street Hospital and Southampton General Hospital we asked questions that led us to wanting to create a show that is accessible to visually impaired, and blind audiences. Any audio description we've attempted in the past, was through headphones, which sometimes are just a hindrance or uncomfortable for little ones. So, for this one, we decided to weave the audio description into the fabric of the show and programme touch tours in every venue.

The show is a result of many extraordinary creative minds coming together to collaboratively tell the story of Laszlo and how he stopped being afraid of the dark. Due to the pandemic, we have been waiting to tell this story for quite a few years and I'm thrilled to finally share the show with you.

Daphna Attias, Artistic Director

The Dark is generously funded by Arts Council England, The Backstage Trust, The Royal Victoria Hall Foundation, Unity Theatre Trust, Awards for All, The Christina Smith Foundation, and The Leche Trust. With support from Canada Water Theatre, the Unicorn Theatre, Great Ormond Street Hospital, VICTA, Stone Nest, Soho Sonic, and Southampton Children's Hospital.