Sydney Theatre Company today announced that actor and broadcaster Cameron Daddo will join Logie Hall of Fame-honouree, Rebecca Gibney onstage in Circle Mirror Transformation, an ’’absorbing, unblinking and sharply funny’’ (New York Times) comedy by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Annie Baker. Directed by the award-winning Dean Bryant (Dear Evan Hansen, Bloom), the season will run from 12 July at STC’s Wharf 1 Theatre.
Set in a small-town, amateur acting class, Daddo and Gibney – both making their STC stage debut – will play husband and wife. They will be joined by an incredible ensemble cast featuring Nicholas Brown (Long Forgotten Dream, Still Point Turning), and, also making their STC debuts, Ahunim Abebe and Jessie Lawrence
Daddo says he is honoured to be working with Bryant and Gibney at STC’s iconic Wharf Theatres, “There are a few holy grails in the Australian actors’ handbook and at the top of the list is the Sydney Theatre Company. To be rejoining my friend Rebecca Gibney adds to the anticipation of joy and adventure. Director Dean Bryant brings out the best in actors and he brings out the essence of a story for the audience to fall in love with. I am little sad to have to wait until mid-year to begin rehearsals. But we wait for good things and having the opportunity to work at the STC is worth it”.
Gibney — who was recently announced for Channel 7’s Dancing with the Stars — said, “I’m beyond thrilled to be performing with Cameron again, having worked with him on Packed to the Rafters and recently travelling overseas together for Luxury Escapes. Cam is not only a lovely human, but he is also a fabulous actor with a tonne of experience. To share the stage with him will be such a joy, especially with this play.”
Director Dean Bryant said, “I’ve long wanted to direct Circle Mirror Transformation, Annie Baker’s exploration of the beauty to be found in the life around us every day. To take that journey with a wonderfully charismatic cast, led by Rebecca and Cameron, actors I’ve adored my whole life, is going to be a true joy.”
The creative team bringing this theatrical gem to life are Designer, Jeremy Allen (4000 Miles, Dear Evan Hansen), Lighting Designer Benjamin Brockman (Constellations, American Signs) and Composer & Sound Designer Clemence Williams (The Picture of Dorian Gray, Dracula).
About the play
A humorous and heartbreaking mosaic of daily life, Circle Mirror Transformation is a masterpiece of simple beauty and laugh-out-loud relatability by one of America’s most exciting playwrights: Pulitzer Prize-winner, Annie Baker.
In a modest, small-town community hall, five people — mostly strangers — come together to take part in an amateur acting class. The class is run by Marty (Gibney), a well-meaning, passionate, and provocative teacher who leads the group in a series of drama games. She intends to get them in touch with their inner selves and let their imaginations run free. But as the exercises build in intensity and their lives become further intertwined, real-life drama begins to seep into the curriculum.
Director Dean Bryant continues a winning run at STC with a play that unearths spectacular gems from seemingly unassuming moments. From the quietly devastating to the hilariously familiar, Baker’s script takes human life and puts it on breathtakingly intimate display.
Circle Mirror Transformation plays at Wharf 1 Theatre from 12 July 2025.
July 12 – September 7
