Tao Of Glass

About Tao Of Glass

Tao Of Glass is a remarkable piece of contemporary theatre currently playing at Soho Place in London's West End. Part play, part concert and part personal memoir, the production brings together two extraordinary artistic minds, director and performer Phelim McDermott and legendary minimalist composer Philip Glass, in a work that has grown from their decades-long creative partnership. The result is a live performance that challenges every expectation of what a night at the theatre can offer.

A Performance Unlike Any Other

On stage, McDermott acts as guide, storyteller and confessor, leading audiences through a meditation on time, creativity and the often mysterious process of making art. Rather than following a conventional dramatic arc, the piece unfolds organically, drawing on puppetry, spoken narrative and the immediate, physical presence of live music. Philip Glass's unmistakable compositions, with their interlocking patterns and hypnotic momentum, are not simply a backdrop here; they are woven into the very fabric of the storytelling, shaping its rhythm and emotional texture from moment to moment.

Where Theatre Meets Concert

One of the most striking qualities of Tao Of Glass is the way it refuses to settle into a single category. Audiences who arrive expecting a straightforward play will find themselves drawn into something far more immersive. Those who come for the music will discover that it is inseparable from the human story being told around it. This blurring of boundaries is entirely deliberate. The production sits proudly within a tradition of London theatre that treats the stage as a space for genuine experimentation, where form and content evolve together rather than apart.

The Venue: Soho Place

Tao Of Glass is presented at Soho Place, one of London's most exciting newer theatres, located at the junction of Oxford Street and Charing Cross Road. The venue's intimate, flexible auditorium is ideally suited to work of this kind, allowing the relationship between performer, musicians and audience to feel genuinely close and alive. Soho Place has quickly established itself as a home for bold, distinctive productions, and Tao Of Glass fits perfectly within that vision.

Who Is It For?

Tao Of Glass will particularly appeal to theatregoers with a passion for contemporary and experimental performance, as well as those who already love the music of Philip Glass and want to encounter it in an entirely new setting. It is equally well suited to anyone curious about the creative process, the nature of artistic collaboration, or the way memory and friendship shape the work we make. That said, the production's warmth, wit and accessibility mean it rewards curious first-timers just as richly as seasoned devotees of avant-garde theatre.

Tickets and Booking

Tickets for Tao Of Glass at Soho Place are priced from £31.25. As this is a limited run, availability can change quickly. The cast rotates regularly, so do check the current schedule before you book. Check this page for current dates and availability.