Melbourne Reviews

Photos – Bryony Jackson

Jodee Mundy’s Imagined Touch is a cutting edge piece of theatre that transports its audience beyond the comfort of the theatre seat into the world of the deaf and blind.

Imagination is an integral part of this production. So is audience participation.

Performers Heather Lawson and Michelle Stevens captivate the audience from the start with anecdotes and self-deprecating humour. Arts House at North Melbourne is the venue for this production. The stage is a simple one – a blank space surrounded by curtains which are well-used throughout the performance as Lawson and Stevens tell their individual tales of the challenges they face through the lack of sight and hearing. The personal stories of these two are endearing, honest, saddening and ultimately triumphant.

Sight and sound are adeptly put to one side and the sensation of touch is explored. Artistic Director and Creative Producer Mundy has created an atmosphere of trust, a connection between performers and audience. This trust is built through the raw honesty of the two performers.

The audience is transported into the sensation of touch in a manner that builds a rapport and a rare insight into the world of the deaf and blind.

This insightful and courageous theatrical production is a complete contrast to the bombardment of visual and audial stimulation experienced in current society. In a quiet, dark space it is possible to reflect on the trials faced by the deafblind artists and community at large. Never has the power of love, kindness and connection to fellow human beings felt more important in breaking the ties of social isolation.

Mundy, Lawson, Stevens and their team of collaborators are to be congratulated on creating a piece of theatre that moves beyond the comfort of norms into a tactile and powerful production.


Jodee Mundy Collaborations
Imagined Touch: the deafblind live art experience

Artistic Director Jodee Mundy

Venue: Arts House | 521 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne VIC
Dates: 7 – 11 September 2016
Tickets: $35 – $30
Bookings: artshouse.com.au | (03) 9322 3713