“… this is a phenomenal multidisciplinary work that overwhelms and brings great joy”
Kate Gaul
5 Stars
Venue : Seymour Centre
Sydney
Dates: 9-16th April 2025
5 stars – this is a phenomenal multidisciplinary work that overwhelms and brings great joy.
Glass Child depicts the sibling relationship between Kayah Guenther, a young man with Down Syndrome, and his sister Maitreyah Guenther. Created and presented by The Farm – a brilliant collective of artists from QLD/NSW. Theatre aficionados in Sydney will recall Throttle, Cowboy, Food Chain to name three stunning works from the past. How fortunate to have Seymour Centre program Glass Child to open their 2025 season. A deeply moving work of great honesty setting a benchmark for this year’s theatrical offerings.
Throughout their lives Maitreya has watched Kayah be left out, ridiculed or ignored. Glass Child questions how we behave when we find the difference we inevitably look for and asks us to examine why we search for difference when we share so much in common. It is poignantly personal and inclusive, incorporating complex themes of trust, communication, sense of self and our place in the world. Through dance, theatre and storytelling they highlight their connection and how their lives have been affected by other people’s perceptions. Glass Child confidently asks us to look, to acknowledge and to understand.
Created by Kayah and Maitreyah Guenther, Kate Harman and Gavin Webber, the production melds spoken narration, archival video, dance, an evocative lighting design (Chloe Ogilvie) on a simple and resonant setting (Rozina Suliman) to describe and transform their lived experience. Without a spoiler, I loved the fort – such a simple but evocative idea referencing childhood, safety, hiding. Both performers are charismatic. Kayah commanded the stage with his infectious energy, captivating the audience from the moment he appeared. Maitreyah plays with an alluring thoughtfulness to her stage presence. The piece was originally developed over several years and has evolved through a deeply collaborative process, ensuring that it is not about Kayah but with him, by him, through him.
I experienced tears, laughter, deep thoughtfulness and admiration for the skill with which the story is told. There is anger and joy in this story. Glass Child is a gift. It reminds us that in small well-honed productions there lies great riches. Turn up Michael and Janet Jackson’s music and go see it!
photo credit: K. Holmes
Kate Gaul, Theatre Now
