About

Synaesthesia – a condition in which the five senses intermingle.

Optical Identity features some of the best contemporary music from across the globe; Kevin Volans’ White Man Sleeps, with its South African influence; Franghiz Ali-Zadeh’s Mugam Sayagi, focusing on a secret 16th century Islamic language; Rolf Wallin’s Phonotope 1, exploring biotopic objects with a Chinese twist; and Manual Override, a commission from Joby Talbot.

With sculptural sets by internationally acclaimed furniture designer Jason Ong, costumes by Singapore fashion designer BAYLENE, visuals created by Swiss digital artist Jasch, and live performance by the “brilliant” T’ang Quartet, Optical Identity immerses its audience in a sensory world of escape directed by Cathie Boyd.

Co-produced by Cryptic and T’ang Quartet.
Commissioned by Singapore Arts Festival 2007.

Available for Touring

"...the piece provides a wonderful platform for the talents of the T'ang Quartet and for the stylish visual aesthetic of Theatre
Cryptic."

The Daily Telegraph

Past Performances

Singapore Arts Festival
Première

Edinburgh International Festival

Alicante International Music Festival

Scottish Highland tour supported by Tune Up and Esmeé Fairbairn Foundation

Downloads

Optical Identity Programme [PDF - 6MB]
Optical Identity - Set Ideas [PDF - 8MB]