Reflections and Refractions: A Mirror to Creativity Without Limits
The boundaries between digital art and live performance are blurred in Peerless Productions’ Reflections and Refractions. Presented as part of the Festival of Live Digital Art (FOLDA), the show brings together sound, light, movement, and digital design in a thought-provoking production.
Arriving at the Isabel Bader Centre, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but I knew it wouldn’t be traditional. That’s part of the FOLDA promise: to offer “what’s next” in art and performance. Before the show began, the audience was warmly welcomed by a festival representative who introduced the evening as a celebration of innovation and storytelling through different forms. The FOLDA team also explained that this performance was in the GO stage—the last of three stages of development and denotes the show as ready for production release. Here, audience members are given feedback slips to share their thoughts on the show.
From the moment we entered the theatre, the staging flipped the script on us. Audience members were seated on opposite sides of the room, facing each other, with the performers in between—a mirroring that felt symbolic. It changed the usual dynamics of a stage which instantly got me thinking. Were we watching them? Were they watching us? The set seemed quite simple at first: a handful of chairs, large mirrors, and one mysterious object hidden under a white sheet. It all felt quiet but once the theatre goes dark, the room transforms.
The stage comes alive with perfectly timed lights, sounds, and movements. There is little dialogue with the show relying heavily on lighting shifts, projections, sounds, music and the energy of the performers. Jesse MacMilan’s lighting designs are a highlight, adding emotion and depth, and transforming the humble set. The mirrors are a compelling motif, reinforcing the themes of reflection and refraction the title alludes to.
The production was created by Peerless Productions, a professional mixed abilities theatre company, and has been built around two central questions: What do you think is your greatest talent? and What do others think is your greatest talent? These questions are not answered directly, but embodied in the acting, dancing, and overall performance. Each performer’s actions in front of the mirror feel deeply personal. As the show goes on, it becomes clear we aren’t just watching characters. Instead, we are witnessing people, in all their humour, vulnerability, and creativity.
There are some moments that stand out. One performer drums in sync with flashing lights. Another moves through a sequence of mirror poses that slowly builds emotional weight. Another is beat-boxing. Small excerpts of familiar pop music, like Cyndi Lauper or Katy Perry, help ground the more abstract elements in something familiar. The show doesn’t always build toward a clear emotional arc, but it doesn’t seem to want to. It is more about the mood, feelings, and the combination of small, personal moments.
There are times when the staging causes minor issues. Depending on your seat, you may have missed the reflections in the mirrors, or seen a little too much behind-the-scenes movement. But none of this detracts from the overall experience. In fact, the occasional crew sighting feels like part of the show’s invitation to see and accept all that’s within the process, not just the polished result. By the end of the performance, the room feels warmer. The post-show hugs between performers and the excited buzz among audience members signaled that something meaningful had happened.
Reflections and Refractions is not a traditional show. There’s no neat plot or tidy resolution. It’s more of an invitation: to reflect on how creativity is seen, how it’s boxed in, and how it resists simple definition. It is also an opportunity to witness artists who are often marginalized in the theatre world take up space and make art on their own terms. If you enjoy experimental theatre, layered design, and multi-sensory productions, this show might be for you. It’s a timely reminder that creativity looks different for everyone, and that the stories worth telling are often the ones that don’t fit the mold.
‘Reflections and Refractions’ was created by an ensemble of performers from Peerless Productions and performed at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts as part of FOLDA. Learn more about the play here.
