Craig Lauzon, Jonelle Gunderson, Paul Smith & Nabil Traboulsi in A Mirror | Photo by Kendra Epik
I went into A Mirror knowing practically nothing about it. Though you’re likely to understand it as cunning deception, the show page on ARC’s website mischievously promotes this as a “wedding.” When you arrive, the venue is decked out for this ersatz event, complete with invitations and a guest book to sign. As the wedding commences, the place is buzzing with anticipation. We catch glimpses of excited, adorably awkward looks between the bride, groom and his best man. Even the registrar vibrates with nervous energy.
Just as we’re noticing that the admissions of consent seem a bit odd, this quaint set-up suddenly collapses into a multi-layered narrative and, though it requires minimal participation from its audience, one of the most effectively immersive pieces of theatre I’ve seen. From here, folks, I’m going to spoil the primary conceit of A Mirror. If you don’t already know the premise and want the purist experience possible, stop here and go see it. But know that I found it masterfully structured, carefully paced and deeply chilling.
Now that you have been duly warned… Continue Reading