Glass Child: Review

A production of beauty, truth, and raw connection.

Glass Child is a deeply moving and visually striking exploration

of what it means to be seen—or looked through—as the sibling

of someone living with a disability. Performed by real-life

brother and sister duo, Kayah and Maitreyah, this powerful work

blends spoken word, contemporary dance, movement, visual

storytelling and video to create a rich, sensory experience that

lingers long after the lights come up.

The piece is non-linear in structure, unfolding more like a series

of lived memories and emotional impressions than a traditional

narrative. Through this format, we’re invited into a deeply

personal story—one that speaks to both the complexities and the

joys of growing up in a world that often fails to fully understand

or include people with intellectual disabilities.

Kayah, a performer breaking boundaries as a person with Down

syndrome, commands the stage with confidence, vulnerability,

and cheeky charisma. His bond with Maitreyah is the heart of

the show. They move together seamlessly, with a level of trust

and compassion that can only come from a lifetime of shared

experience. Their connection is tangible, and at times

breathtaking.

Maitreyah’s deep respect for her brother shines through every

moment—through her words, her movement, and her gentle

presence beside him. It’s clear how much she honours not only

who he is, but all he has achieved. At times, she also shares her

own pain—of being the sibling looked through, of watching her

brother feel isolated in a world not built for him. These

reflections are honest and affecting, handled with grace and

strength.

From start to finish, Glass Child shifts between moments of gut-

wrenching heartbreak and light, cheeky joy. The “rude finger dance”

in particular had the audience chuckling and revealed the

duo’s playful personalities. These lighter beats sit beautifully

beside more tender and painful memories, striking a delicate

balance that never feels forced.

Presented by The Farm, a company known for its bold and

collaborative creations, Glass Child is not just a performance—

it’s an experience. It challenges assumptions, expands

understanding, and most importantly, invites us to see each other

more clearly.

As someone who grew up with an uncle with an intellectual

disability, I found the work especially poignant. I wasn’t always

aware that the rest of the world could overlook people who were

different. Glass Child cracked something open in me—and I

have no doubt it will do the same for others.