Listen to Unseen Audio Drama below:
Content warning: This audio drama contains themes of domestic abuse, violence, trauma and strong language.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in Unseen, there are links to resources at the bottom of this page.
If you would like to view a copy of the script of Unseen please click on Unseen Online Script.
Audience quotes:
“A very well-crafted audio drama that not only shines a light on the many forms of domestic abuse, but also, I think, in a way gives some hope.” (Toby Davey, RNIB Connect)
“It’s a very effective, engaging and enlightening drama…Ben Wilson’s directing and Ian Rattray’s sound design are both excellent, helping to bring the story to life and giving it extra impact in the right moments.” (Glen Turner, WellEyeNever)
“I think this is probably one of the most important and relevant pieces Extant has created, a real insight into a world hidden from most.” (Audience member)
“Unseen perfectly portrayed Aspects of the abuse I have suffered.” (Audience Member)
Unseen Tour
Extant presents a live event to accompany Unseen, a gripping new audio drama that examines the subtle and insidious effect of domestic abuse on the blind and visually impaired community, using empathy, hope and candour to raise awareness of this important subject.
Excerpts from the audio drama will be performed live by visually impaired actors, followed by a panel discussion with members of the creative team and representatives from organisations that have supported the making of the work.
Through the stories of two visually impaired protagonists, Unseen illuminates the unique ways that domestic abuse impacts on blind and VI people in their homes and intimate relationships, from love-bombing to gaslighting, care to coercive control. Where do we turn when the ones who are supposed to love and care for us are the very people, we’re most afraid of?
The work is a creative response to The Unseen report, commissioned by Fight for Sight (forged from the merger of Fight for Sight and Vision Foundation), and researched and compiled by the charity SafeLives. This report highlighted the inaccessibility of domestic abuse services to visually impaired people, despite the fact that disabled people are nearly three times more likely to experience domestic abuse than non-disabled people.
Unseen October 2024 tour dates:
16th October – Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, 4pm
17th October – The Lowry, Salford, 5:30pm
23rd October – Bloomsbury Festival, London, 4:30pm
23rd October – Bloomsbury Radio, Online, 7pm
28th October – Online, 7pm
Unseen Tour Programme:
For a more in depth insight into the process of Unseen:
Tam Gilbert provides a sneak peak into the rehearsal room of Unseen: An Assistant Producer Perspective
Louisa Sanfey reflects on our upcoming Unseen tour: Co-creation and Unseen
Ellen Jupp analyses the environmental impact of the creation, rehearsal and premiere of Unseen: Environmental Analysis
Ian Abbott presents a case study around Unseen: Unseen Audio Drama and Live Event – A Touring Case Study
Louisa Sanfey reflects on the October 2024 Tour: Unseen
Maria Oshodi, Artistic Director, Extant:
“Extant is proud to continue its trend of dramatizing report outcomes with this new important piece, funded and originally commissioned by the Vision Foundation. Even though the new government ‘Flee Fund’ released to help those experiencing domestic violence is welcomed, for many disabled people in this situation, a host of other factors makes escape more difficult. However, we hope that Unseen will uncover this and have great impact, as other recent dramatisations of social injustices such as the Post Office scandal have had on the population.”
Ben Wilson, Trainee Artistic Director, Extant and Director of Unseen:
“The team behind the Unseen Report did an amazing job highlighting this incredibly important issue that affects so many VI people. Extant always want to tell nuanced stories of VI people and help to champion and challenge issues. Issues vital to the VI community. We’ve put together an incredibly talented team of VI people to bring this audio drama to life. Each one of them has poured their heart and soul into making sure we are honouring the stories of the victims and survivors who contributed to the Unseen Report. The learnings of the report need to be shouted far and wide, and we hope our audio drama can be part of that mission.”
Helplines
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in Unseen, you can contact the following organisations via their websites and phone numbers below:
If you are in an emergency, please call 999.
Domestic Abuse:
Refuge Tel: 0808 2000 247
National Helplines:
Northern Ireland Tel: 0808 802 1414
Scotland Tel: 0800 027 1234
Wales Tel: 0808 8010 800
Men’s Advice Line Tel: 0808 8010327
Galop LGBT+ Tel: 0800 999 5428
Survivors UK Chat via SMS Text: 020 3322 1860
Women’s Aid Email: [email protected]
Mental Health:
Samaritans Tel: 116 123 (Lines open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free for landlines and mobile phones.)
Mind Tel: 0300 123 3393 (Lines open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except bank holidays). Calls charged at the standard rates.)
Shout Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258
With thanks to the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, Fight For Sight, Arts Council England, Refuge, SafeLives, Rising Sun, Care First, Camden People’s Theatre, RNIB and Jane Sellers.
If you are able to support Extant, please donate here.