Fresh from raves at 2022 Adelaide Fringe, Head First Acrobatics threw themselves into the Melbourne season opener of Godz. The show is billed as “A hedonistic dive head-first into the lives of the ancient Gods of Mount Olympus.”
These Gods are temporarily in the form of fit young men, and they were in quite a bawdy mood. Zeus himself introduced our performers: Apollo, God of the Sun (Thomas Gorham), Cupid, God of Love (Liam Drummer); Dionysius, God of Wine (Jordan Twartz); and, from Zeus’s dalliance with a human woman, the demigod Hercules (Callan Harris). All were very happy to make spectacles of themselves for the entertainment of us mere mortals.
The company has previously brought offerings including Elixir, Circus’cision, and Railed to Melbourne. These outings often featured uncommon feats of strength and coordination, wrapped up in comedic situations involving goofball characters.
Godz have taken the style of past work like Railed and pumped it with steroids and magic mushrooms. These ripped Gods show their sublime skills with balancing and tumbling, with high testosterone takes on apparatus such as ribbons and diablo.
The company continued their form with physical comedy, and incredibly, even managed to get a laugh out of our pandemic trials.
But beware – when Godz are this playful and powerful, nothing is sacred. Some may not appreciate certain scenes, such as the one where Christians lose their way. (Judging from the volume of laughter, for many, it was surprising and hilarious scene, destined to become a Melbourne Fringe legend.)
It wouldn’t be fair to ruin the surprises, but these Gods will certainly set you up for a wild ride of glitz and camp. Couple Godz with the 6.00pm Deadset by Yuck circus at a sister venue of the Runaway Festival Precinct, and you’re in for a quality night with these Olympians of Circus.
GODZ
Runaway Festival Park (The Vault) – Testing Grounds Market Square, Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne
Performance: Thursday 6 October 2022 – 8.00pm
Season continues to 23 October 2022
Bookings: www.melbournefringe.com.au
For more information, visit: www.headfirstacrobats.com for details.
Image: Thomas Gorham, Callan Harris, Jordan Twartz and Liam Dummer – photo by Jacinta Oaten
Review: Jason Whyte