Touching the Void (play) Touching the Void (play) Touching the Void is a play written by David Greig, based on the book of the same name by Joe Simpson. It made its world premiere at the Bristol Old Vic in September 2018, before embarking on a short UK and international tour. The play centres on the true story of Joe Simpson and Simon Yates, climb of the 6,344-metre west face of the Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes in 1985. "Touching the Void" has been adapted for the stage by David Greig, based on the 1988 book of the same name by Joe Simpson.
The Mountaineers (opera) had a new work ready. Somerville is credited with the conception of "The Mountaineers". He was travelling in a train through the Rhine Valley when the idea came to him: "I had been glancing idly at a guide book, but the opening lines of a quaint legendary tale relating to some little village in the mountains suddenly held my interest, and when I had read it through I realised that here was the ideal story for an opera. Only the climax would have to be altered, for the story ended on a tragic note." Somerville showed "The Mountaineers" to Workman,