By Ali Pavic
I went into The Mirror with an open mind and very little preconception, which proved to be the perfect way to experience this slick and entertaining work at Gluttony’s The Octagon during Adelaide Fringe 2026.
Created and performed by Adelaide-born company Gravity & Other Myths, the show fuses contemporary circus with a sharp, contemporary aesthetic. LED elements, cameras and a driving electronic score frame the action, yet the true focus remains on the people on stage.
At the centre is the show’s singer and narrator, who holds the thread from beginning to end with a cheeky glint and commanding presence. Her voice is smooth and smoky, at times reminiscent of Róisín Murphy and Beth Gibbons. Familiar lyrics appear and dissolve into one another in a cleverly constructed medley that feels both nostalgic and reimagined. So assured is her delivery that you briefly question whether it is live. It is, and it is excellent. She is not background to the action but an equal force within it.
The acrobatic ensemble delivers the escalating wow factor. Strength and stamina are evident from the outset, but the real impact lies in how the sequences build. Each passage becomes more complex and more daring than the last. Lifts rise higher, balances extend longer, combinations demand greater precision. Transitions are seamless, making feats that require immense control look deceptively straightforward.
There is a playful confidence throughout. Grins are flashed to the audience mid-trick, eyebrows raised in shared acknowledgement of the risk involved. The connection between performers and crowd feels genuine, and the response in the tent is constant, with audible gasps and spontaneous applause marking the most impressive moments.
Lighting and sound complement the choreography perfectly, adding atmosphere and tension at just the right points.
When the cast remind us they are an Adelaide ensemble touring the world, there is a real sense of pride in the room. To see Gravity & Other Myths on home soil is to appreciate just how accomplished they are.
Rating: 4.5 stars!
For more information and to book tickets, visit: adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/the-mirror-af2026
