Cutting through the fanfare, feathers, sequins, shine and surface that is synonymous with so many productions is “Unmirrored”.

This story provides a unique insight into the world of perfectionism, abuse and trauma that is often immeshed in the experience of an eating disorder.

The constant, intense machiavellian presence that is the protagonist’s disorder played her role very well. Immediately commanding the stage and causing discomfort, fluctuating between being a destructive presence and a comforting friend.

The protagonist enters and finds herself at a ballet barre - this is one of many examples of the fascinating and well-planned the set is.

Every prop is intentional and useful on the stage that is the home and sometimes the prison of this ballerina striving to be a principal dancer. The performer skilfully shares the burden of what her character carries as well as the possibility and desire for a better life shining through.

This moving and provocative piece shows the emotional baggage that the main character unpacks every day, her cyclic despair is palpable as she spirals, abusing her body with exercise, pills, alcohol and putting relationships and things that could bring her joy into the too hard basket, her disorder ever the barrier to embracing life fully. Her demeanour oscillates between being tightly controlled and moments of catharsis where control is completely lost to her.

The performance was well written and the intensity is tangible as the audience witness self-punishing behaviours. The lighting and sound is effective, different classical ballet pieces are played as the reality of pushing for an imagined perfection plays out. The ending to the piece glimmered with hope, however it felt inconclusive and a little rushed to wrap up the show. With a piece as weighty and important as this one it would be great to see a little extra time afforded to the conclusion.

This is an important story which is told very well by the producer, director cast and crew, definitely not one to miss if you are prepared for a production that is both meaningful and cleverly created.