Shelley Walls new play Into the Mirror explores issue of gender identity and transitioning
Into the Mirror is a new play by Australian playwright Shelley Wall that meets the confronting issue of gender transition head-on… but with tenderness and compassion. Its very personal insights touch any and everybody.
The premise for the play is simple: After eighteen months in the UK, Melanie arrives home to discover her mother Sally is a complete stranger and struggles with the universal question we all ask ourselves; “What am I going to without my mum?” Sally – now ‘Kendall’ – is desperate to be the man he wants to be and is trying to erase his life as Sally prior to transitioning. Tyler, reeling from an explosive lesbian relationship, meets Kendall and is captivated by his endearing charm, causing Tyler to question her own sexuality. Meanwhile, Sophia is torn and haunted by a decision she made years ago; her own struggle becomes a mirror into the lives of the other characters. And Laura must deal with the consequences of a childhood secret that will ultimately affect her future…
Into the Mirror explores the bond between mothers and daughters, relationships between lovers, families and friends; using the gender lens of Kendall’s transitioning to highlight issues that are present in all relationships.
Into the Mirror is directed by the playwright Shelley Wall, and stars Penny Day, Helen Stuart, Amber Robinson, Carole Sharkey-Waters and Katie Lees.
Wall says she was inspired to write Into The Mirror after becoming enthralled in the journey of a friend and colleague who had the courage to become the gender she should always have been. Says Shelley “I wanted to write a play that celebrated identity and acceptance.”
“I believe the characters and the story will touch the audience as their issues and weaknesses are human frailties we have all experienced either personally or through someone we love. This is the key to Into The Mirror: the courage to be yourself.”