Ongoing 38-day “World Culture Festival Karachi,” organized by the Arts Council of Pakistan, continues to enthrall audiences with a rich variety of cultural performances. On the 14th day, the internationally renowned comedy theater “Circle Mirror Transformation” was presented in Auditorium I, captivating a large audience with its humor and poignant storytelling.
The play, performed by Spain’s Blue Book Theater Company, is written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Annie Baker and directed by BJ Evans. The cast included Marty, portrayed by Sophie Heidicker and Erica Lauren Wise, along with Lauren (Hannah DiBella), Theresa (Sarah Helen Dillamore), Schultz (Christopher Kelly), and James (Alex Liu).
The Spanish actors’ energetic performances and seamless delivery of the script were met with resounding applause from the crowd. “Circle Mirror Transformation” is a 90-minute comedy that revolves around a diverse group of individuals: a free-spirited husband, a flirtatious former actress, a moody teenager, and a recently divorced carpenter. All of them enroll in Marty’s six-week acting class at a community center, initially engaging in innocent theater exercises. However, as the classes progress, deeper emotional conflicts surface, leading to small but intense interpersonal battles that leave a lasting impact on the characters’ lives. Through intelligent and subtle storytelling, the play delves into the creative process behind acting, offering a window into how actors access a spectrum of emotions and channel them into their performances on stage.
Described by The New York Times as an “absorbing, unblinking, and sharply funny” piece, Circle Mirror Transformation celebrates the quiet yet profound power of creativity. The audience was treated to a performance that, while comical on the surface, explored complex emotional themes, leaving viewers with plenty to ponder. The Arts Council’s World Culture Festival continues to be a platform for celebrating global art and culture, with events like Circle Mirror Transformation offering Karachi’s audience a taste of internationally acclaimed theater.
