A dark comedy with twists and turns and surprises that challenge an audience, ‘A Mirror’ is now playing at the 918 Bathurst Centre in Toronto. Written by Sam Holcroft and directed by Tamara Vuckovic, it begins with a very unique play within a play.
The audience is invited as wedding guests, and all the nuptial trappings are included, along with some fine cello work by Rita Dottor. We quickly understand it is a ruse to cover up a play that is unwelcome in some totalitarian regime that fixates on control of the arts.
Some fine acting ensues as ‘the play’ begins with an understated yet extreme interrogation of a young mechanic-turned-playwright in this dystopian society. Paul Smith is captivating as Adem, the squeamish underling whose halting, nervous performance suggests the crushing political atmosphere surrounding him.
His investigator, played by Nabil Traboulsi, questions Adem’s writing, which may be out of character for the manipulative regime. As a scheming bureaucrat, his volume is calm until punctuated by loud, frightening anger. He has a sinister sitting position with one leg thrust out as if to run at any minute. Black gloves and tarnished medals round out his creepy character.
Under Vuckovic’s direction, a number of highly effective pregnant pauses from Traboulsi ratchet up the suspense almost to comic nervousness.
A new employee for ‘the state’ is played magnificently by Jonelle Gunderson. Her severity is like stone. Her face is often pinched, and her hair pulled back almost painfully. She aids the interrogation uncomfortably and eventually lets her hair down literally and otherwise as she strives for some humanity.
Another playwright, Bax, played by Craig Lauzon, is favoured by the regime and enters as a drunken, conflicted suppliant who is supposed to guide the rebel Adem.
Reality becomes confused as characters suggest various identities, and world visions are turned upside down. The wedding ruse interrupts the play at key moments and most disturbingly at the end.
Some lengthy speeches about government policy tended to slow the pace.
Actors are used for all the set changes, which is the norm, but these changes seemed to need some extra help to move the pace along.
Sound designer Leon Smith creates a fine, haunting, and frightening soundscape, drawing the audience further into the political mire.
Lengthy strips of curtain are boldly used to separate scenes, but they become a liability when they twist or fall inaccurately.
Predicated on themes from ‘Brave New World’ or ‘1984’, A Mirror challenges us not only with character flips or plot whiplash, but also with the questions of political mockery, dehumanizing institutions and subsequent psychological manipulation.
‘A Mirror’ by Sam Holcroft
Performers: Nabil Traboulsi, Jonelle Gunderson, Paul Smith, Craig Lauzon. Courtenay Stevens, Rita Dottor, Cole Munden.
Director: Tamara Vuckovic
Set design: Nick Blais
Costume design: Snezana Pesic
Sound design: Lyon Smith
Runs through: March 28, 2026.
Tickets: arcstage.com
