Phelim McDermott and Philip Glass debut 'Tao of Glass' at London’s @sohoplace

Director‑performer Phelim McDermott and composer Philip Glass have created a new theatre piece called Tao of Glass, staged at the London venue @sohoplace. The production grew out of McDermott’s abandoned plan to adapt Maurice Sendak’s In the Night Kitchen and now serves as a personal reflection on art, memory and imagination.

The show blends puppetry, minimalist set design by Fly Davis and a distinctive visual language of concentric circles and paper props. Music by Glass is performed by a quartet under musical director Chris Vatalaro, providing a reflective soundtrack that anchors the fragmented narrative. Reviewers note that while the piece can overstay at times, it succeeds in delivering a powerful, accessible spell that merges theatre, music and visual art.

Overall, Tao of Glass is presented as an intimate, thought‑provoking work that showcases the long‑standing collaboration between McDermott and Glass, offering audiences a deeply personal yet universally resonant experience.