Tao of Glass Brings Philip Glass and Phelim McDermott to the West End
The West End premiere of the acclaimed theatrical concert explores life, loss and inspiration through music, puppetry and immersive storytelling.
This summer, @sohoplace hosts the West End debut of Tao of Glass, the latest collaboration between legendary composer Philip Glass and performer-director Phelim McDermott. Originally premiered at the Manchester International Festival, the production runs from 24 July to 12 September 2026.
Part concert, part performance, Tao of Glass presents ten new Glass compositions alongside meditations on life, death and Taoist philosophy. McDermott leads a company of musicians and puppeteers, weaving music, image and Improbable’s trademark theatricality into a dreamlike narrative that asks a single question: Where does true inspiration come from?
The production is brought to life by an exceptional creative team. Kirsty Housley co-directs, Fly Davis designs the set, Colin Grenfell and Giles Thomas shape lighting and sound, Chris Vatalaro directs the musical performance, and Lyndie Wright crafts the puppetry. Together, they transform the intimate Soho venue into a space where sound, movement and story converge.
Glass’s career spans opera, film, dance and ensemble work, from Einstein on the Beach to recent compositions for circuses and symphonies. McDermott, co-founder of Improbable, brings decades of theatre experience, with credits across London, New York and international festivals. Tao of Glass represents their most personal collaboration to date, merging a lifetime of music and theatre into a singular, immersive experience.
The production retains the immersive qualities that won audiences and critics over in Manchester, inviting visitors into a meditative, visually inventive space where puppetry, music and performance unfold simultaneously. Audiences are encouraged to experience the show as a holistic encounter: a fusion of sound, image and theatrical imagination.
Tao of Glass – West End Premiere
@sohoplace, 4 Soho Place, London W1D 3BG
24 July – 12 September 2026
Tickets from £25: www.sohoplace.org
Creative Team: Philip Glass (Composer), Phelim McDermott (Writer & Co-Director), Kirsty Housley (Co-Director), Fly Davis (Designer), Colin Grenfell (Lighting Designer), Giles Thomas (Sound Designer), Chris Vatalaro (Musical Director), Lyndie Wright (Puppet Designer & Maker)
Access & Special Performances: BSL Interpreted, Audio Described, Captioned, Chilled performances; wheelchair access available
Elena Leo is the Culture & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.
