Glass Child | The Farm & Kayah and Maitreyah Guenther
Rarely am I left speechless by a show, but after watching Glass Child on the weekend, I was completely in awe. The captivating performance by Kayah Guenther, a young artist with Down Syndrome, and his sister Maitreyah left me utterly enthralled. The show evoked a powerful emotional response from myself and many other audience members. I found myself crying during some heavier moments, but then later, crying from both joy and laughter. If the show were still running, I would strongly encourage you to get tickets and bring everyone you know.
All images: K Holmes
Glass Child is a multidisciplinary piece that combines physical theatre, monologue, poetry, and dance. It offers a mesmerising glimpse into the lives of two siblings and their extraordinary relationship. Despite some absolutely heart wrenching moments, I would still describe the show in its entirety as ‘joyous’. It made my heart ache and overflow with love, respect, and adoration for the deep bond these siblings share.
The term ‘glass child’ refers to the siblings of individuals with special needs. ‘Glass’ is used to emphasise how they are often overlooked, as people’s focus is solely directed towards the person with the disability. Glass Child subverts this notion, shedding light on the tendency of people to see through Kayah when defining him by his disability. Maitreyah and Kayah cleverly expose the absurdity of “experts” treating people with disabilities as mere subjects of study. To Maitreyah, Kayah is simply her beloved big brother, and labels or studies have no bearing on his true essence of how she feels about him.
All images: K Holmes
Both performers were phenomenal. Kayah commanded the stage with his infectious energy, captivating the audience from the moment he appeared. Maitreyah brought a calm thoughtfulness to her stage presence. I have immense respect for both of them for sharing such personal work with the world. It felt cathartic for both performers to voice their story and defy the bullies, labels, and injustices they have encountered.
The set design perfectly captured the essence of childhood, growth, and the fear of venturing into an unfiltered world. The poignant ending scene (spoilers), where they build a fort to huddle under, created a profound and vulnerable image. It brought back joyful memories of building elaborate blanket forts on stormy days and spending hours watching movies with my own brother. This tangible ‘safe space’ provided a shield from what terrified us at the time: storms. As Kayah guides a hesitant Maitreyah out of the fort, it serves as a reminder that finding comfort in the support of others during the storms of life is a tremendous source of strength. Kayah and Maitreyah support each other through these storms and no longer need the fort because they are each other's safe spaces.
In the past two days, I have found myself continuously contemplating every aspect of the performance. The show had so many subtle details that made it truly special. As someone who enjoys revisiting past reviews to gauge a show’s lasting impact and reflect on any evolving opinions, I can confidently say that Glass Child has already left an indelible mark on me. It is a production that I will undoubtedly continue to think about for months to come.
All images: K Holmes
