What is truth, and what is reality? Created by Australian company Gravity & Other Myths, The Mirror is circus acrobatics with guts, an exciting 70 minutes of songs, audio-visuals, and talented athletes, all throwing bodies in the air with no safety nets.

Our host for the evening Ekrem Eli Phoenix, clad only in briefs and a singlet, has a magnificent voice that soars to the heights of the Octagon.  While selfying into his phone we see his face, mouth and even throat, close up on a AV screen at the back of the playing area. Moving around the stage and the audience, sometimes Phoenix turns the camera to us, but then back on himself, while onstage the acrobats create seemingly impossible acrobatic feats. 

His troop are highly skilled professionals. You see them standing on the stage, a black curtain closes in front of them and, when they’re revealed again, they’re stacked in an impossible configuration, balanced three bodies high. In another section, two men stand, one on either side of the blacked-out space, and, suddenly two women come flying out from high up above the curtain and the men catch them in their arms. It’s exciting theatre!

There are quiet, surreal sections, as well. At one point, three towers of people simply walk past one another. In each tower, one person has another on their shoulders, and that person has somebody else on their shoulders. It is eerie to watch!

With more than a touch of humour, the 70 minutes speed along with only quiet contemplative sections to slow the pace to allow us to catch our breath.

I must confess to gasping many times and grabbing the arm of my partner watching the seemingly impossible lifts and throws/catches, often in dim light to heighten the danger. It is a true theatrical spectacle.

The Mirror is destined to be one of the gems of the Fringe. It is acrobatics with class and a must see this festival!