麻豆社

Alex Bulmer, writer and performer follows in the footsteps of 19th-century blind travel writer James Holman. Holman鈥檚 writings are extraordinary 鈥� he risked everything by leaving the UK to travel alone across the world. Alex was inspired by his bold attitude, at a time when there was little disabled access or disabled people鈥檚 right to independence. She set off to retrace his journey across landscapes and geography. This very personal, unusual series gives witty insight into how going blind redefines sensory awareness.

The Essays trace the beginning of the idea, the initial journey and the 鈥渇ailure鈥� Alex felt when she abandoned the project through to how she regained the will to continue, across the music belt of America, and her travel revelation walking the Camino Real.

Essay 2: Why There are 300 Seconds in a Blind Minute

Alex starts her journey in Germany, following Holman鈥檚 route from Freiburg and up the Rhine. The limitations of verbal description are soon exhausted and she discovers, just like Holman, how important touch and time are for blind travellers to understand surroundings.

The writer
Alex Bulmer is an award winning performer and writer in Canada and UK. She has written extensively for 麻豆社 Radios 3 and 4, Graeae Theatre Company and Red Dress productions. Recent activities include a role in the soon to be released new Apple television series, See; producing, directing and hosting Toronto鈥檚 second Cripping The Stage, an evening of disabled artist; teaching voice at Canada鈥檚 prestigious Banff Centre. In 2014 Alex was named by UK Power Magazine as one of the most influential disabled people, a list including Stephen Hawkins and Stephen Fry.

Producer Polly Thomas
Executive Producer Eloise Whitmore
A Naked Production for 麻豆社 Radio 3