If there has been a theme to many of the Sydney Theatre Company’s productions thus far this season, it has been a focus on realism and bringing out the emotions associated with ordinary life. Circle Mirror Transformation is yet another production in this vein, centring around a drama class in a small town which gradually reveals more and more about its participants as the play emerges. 

The play has a stellar cast, with Rebecca Gibney as Marty, Cameron Daddo as James, Nicholas Brown as Schultz, Jessie Lawrence as Theresa and Ahunim Abebe as Lauren. Given the relatively mundane setting, the focus of this production is very much on the actors and they excel, with Gibney and Daddo conveying a sense of calm and poise at the start of the production which seems to break down as the play continues whilst Abebe brings a unique energy to the intriguing role of Lauren, charting her growth from a moody teen to an adult very rapidly.

Most importantly, there is a real chemistry between the performers on stage, engendering empathy to their respective circumstances. Brown’s character draws particular sympathy, but this expands to all the characters as the play progresses, even as they find themselves increasingly embroiled in drama. 

This is as much physical theatre as it is verbal, with a lot of the emotion and narrative of the text coming from the reaction of those on stage. The performers do a fantastic job of bringing this out, with credit due to the director Dean Bryant for his clear, minimalist vision of the production which allows the performers to truly shine. 

The script has a degree of poignancy and is commendable in its focus on exploring the inward emotions of the characters (which is effectively matched by Jeremy Allen’s mirror set design, which encourages reflection on the part of the audience as well). However, many themes that could have been further developed are left unexplored, which is a shame. The breakdown of Marty and James’ relationship is hinted at, but could be explored in some more depth. But perhaps the biggest issue is the ending of the play, which feels like a rushed way of tying the plot together, which had been so beautifully constructed to that point. It feels somewhat unsatisfying, even though there is certainly some emotion to it. 

Ultimately, this is a strong production that punches above its weight with the quality of the acting by those on stage and the emotion of the storyline. What the storyline lacks in weight it brings in heart and, in the absence of a broader meaning, provides an interesting insight into five people from completely different lives who converge on an adult acting course and then inevitably go their separate ways again. While the ending certainly leaves a little to be desired, the emotional sincerity of the production takes it to a level that perhaps exceeds the sum of its parts. 

Rating: ★★★★

Circle Mirror Transformation plays at the Wharf 1 Theatre until 7^th September 2025. For more information, click here.

All photo credits: Daniel Boud