THE MIRROR: Adelaide Fringe 2026 Review
  4 1/2 stars for cabaret circus with a twist
Review by Carla Caruso

 
This is one of those shows that’s almost impossible to summarise. If a friend asks, “What’s it about?”, you’ll likely fumble for words.

It’s part fashion runway (think a SKIMS-style aesthetic, with some performers in underwear), part extended music video, part contemporary dance, and unmistakably, a cabaret circus spectacle.

The opening night performance I attended was a sellout – heartening to see for a contemporary circus and physical theatre company that calls Adelaide home. (That company being Gravity & Other Myths, aka GOM.)

As the promo material declares, “this is not your ordinary Fringe show”, and it truly isn’t.

Forget sequins, big grins and high-octane dance tracks. Instead, expect sombre-faced performers on a darkened stage – including very Aussie-looking men sporting mullets and Ned Kelly-style beards – and a moody, almost Stranger Things-esque atmosphere created through clever use of technology: an LED wall, live cameras and even selfie sticks.

Slowed-down pop hits are performed live in a Bridgerton-style reimagining (hello Eurythmics’ Sweet Dreams and Britney Spears’ Toxic), adding to the hypnotic tone.

Then there’s the circus performers. ‘Human Jenga’ is one way to describe their feats. At several points, I was sweating bullets – never mind the artists themselves – as they executed high-level acrobatics, building gravity-defying towers, performing shoulder-walks, and flipping with precision.

At one stage, the words ‘flesh’ and ‘meat’ flashed across the LED wall, underscoring a central theme: what the human body is capable of when pushed to its limits.

A particularly jaw-dropping moment saw a female performer balance two women above her, stacked one on top of the other. It was both awe-inspiring and motivating. I left contemplating a few extra gym sessions of my own.

A couple of minor wobbles during the night also served as a sharp reminder of the risk involved and the absence of a safety net.

Unfortunately, the show I saw was cut short by around 10 minutes due to a medical emergency in the audience, possibly a fainting episode. It was an especially steamy evening, and the tent was packed.

While concerning for the audience member involved, it didn’t detract from the impact of what we’d already witnessed. The performance was mind-blowing and left us wanting more.

It’s easy to see why Gravity & Other Myths won the 2025 Adelaide Fringe Best in Circus award. The company has since performed at the Sydney Opera House and Berlin’s Chamäleon Theatre, as well as completing a sell-out international tour.

The Mirror is PG-rated and best suited to older children, given its moody tone, scantily clad performers and occasional kissing (!). It’s also an ideal choice for a parents’ night out.

GOM’s other Fringe show, Ten Thousand Hours, is G-rated and a better fit for the whole family.

Catch The Mirror while you can in The Octagon tent at Gluttony, Rymill Park.