On Blindness

Glyn Cannon

• Publisher: Methuen Drama
• Year: 2009
• Print ISBN: 9780413774309
• eBook ISBN: 9781408117309
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Drama
• Index: Literature

Glyn Cannon's brilliantly dark and mischievous debut

In this darkly witty exploration of love and relationships Cannon explores how much you need to see of someone to know they are worth "taking a chance on". After apparently seeing everything, Shona is to move in with her boyfriend Dan. Her chronically shy work colleague Edward however struggles to articulate his feelings when faced with the blind and erotic Maria. In an innovative staging, their respective evenings unfold simultaneously on stage, bringing illumination to all concerned.

ON BLINDNESS is published to tie in with a collaboration between three of the UK's cutting edge companies - Paines Plough, Frantic Assembly and Graeae - in a production at Soho Theatre.

Scene Two

Initially the stage is in darkness. Friday evening. A living room. A burgundy couch, a cream-white chair, an empty table. Growing shadows lengthening across the floor.

Maria So … there I am. It’s a lovely day; there’s warm sun on my face, and a breeze blowing down through the trees. Walking along the path, I’m aware of this man in front of me. I’m catching up with him. He’s weighed down by this large … box of something. A bit too big for him, a bit awkward.

Greg Mmm.

Maria He takes a couple of steps, then he puts it down, very carefully. Takes his breath, as though he’s just readjusting his grip – if you asked him. ‘It’s not too heavy for me,’ he’d say, that’s what he’d say he was doing.

Greg Yeah.

Maria But anyway, he gets his grip, takes another few steps, a couple less this time, puts it down carefully again … (Laughs.) He’s fighting a losing battle here.

Greg Ah.

Maria But one more time, he tries. Finds his grip, lifts up the box, another couple of steps. But he loses it – it hits the path with a crunch and whatever’s inside the box, it shatters into a hundred pieces. (Laughs.) Like crockery or something. (Laughs.)

Greg Mmm.

Maria I shouldn’t laugh. It’s not fair, really.

Greg Mmm.

Maria But … he hears me laugh. And he turns around.

Greg Yeah.

Maria And he takes a step towards me, he’s angry. I can feel the steam coming off him, he’s furious.

Greg Mmm. Yeah.

A woman is sat on the sofa. And a young man is standing masturbating in front of her.

Maria But then … (Sighs.) He sees me, he mumbles some apology … and I wish he would get angry. Just once.

Edward (off) Hello? The front door is wide open?

Enter Edward. Greg stops. Beat.

Maria Who’s that?

Edward (to Greg) What the hell are you doing?

Maria Edward.

Edward Get out.

Greg makes no move.

Edward Go on! Get out! Piss off out of here!

Edward chases Greg out, shouting. He comes back in.

Maria Edward? Is that you?

Edward Yes, I’m here.

Maria Edward, I wasn’t expecting you this early –

Edward There was … there was a boy in here.

Beat.

Maria Er, yes … what happened? Why did you shout at him?

Edward Do you know him?

Maria What was he doing Edward? What did you see?

Edward You know him?

Maria Yes.

Edward Who is he?

Maria Greg.

Edward Greg?

Maria Yes.

Edward But who is he?

Maria The son of one of my neighbours.

Edward You’re sure it was him?

Maria Yes.

Edward You’re sure?

Maria Of course, I am. That was him.

Beat.

What did you see him – What was he doing?

Edward What was he doing?

Maria Yes.

Edward Mmm.

Maria What was he doing when you came in? You were shouting at him – where’s he gone?

Edward He’s, ah, I chased him out through the back. He’s run off.

Beat.

Maria Why did you chase him out? Edward? What did you see him doing?

Edward He was … um …

Maria What?

Edward He was going through your things. I think he was looking for … something to steal.

Maria He was … something to steal?

Edward Yes.

Maria Right. OK. Oh my God.

Edward Mm.

Maria Oh my God, he’s round here all the time, he’s never done … He’s never been a problem before.

Edward Well, young kids, teenagers … you know.

Maria I can’t believe he’d do that. Are you sure that that was what he was doing?

Edward That’s what I saw. That’s what it looked like.

Maria That’s what it looked like?

Edward Yes.

Rest.

Maria Right. Should we … call the police?

Edward No. I don’t know, maybe. We don’t need to do it just yet.

Maria What did he steal?

Edward He didn’t get anything.

Maria You’re sure?

Edward No.

Maria He didn’t have anything in his hands?

Beat.

Edward Er, no. We don’t need to call the police yet. I’ll do it later.

Maria No, it’s OK. I can call them tomorrow myself.

Edward I don’t mind –

Maria I’ll call them myself. In a minute, maybe. Sit down.

Edward sits.

Maria Are you OK?

Edward I think so. He could have been … Anybody could have been in here.

Maria Mmm. He’s gone now, hasn’t he? Would you like a drink? Calm you down?

Edwar...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Contents
• Dedication
• Characters
• Scene One
• Scene Two
• Scene Three
• Author biography
• Imprint