Devised by the multi-award-winning team at Head First Acrobats, this fabulous show begins with Zeus calling on us, the mere mortals in the audience, to put our hands together to welcome four Greek gods to the stage.
Each god poses and twirls to reveal Apollo, the God of the Sun (Thomas Gorham), Cupid, the God of Love (Liam Dummer), Hercules, the God of Strength (Callan Harris) and Dionysus, the God of Wine (Jordan Twartz).
What follows is a madcap whirl of acrobatics, circus skills and hilarious slapstick comedy.
Dionysus executes a frantic, fast-paced diabolo routine, complete with tumbling, pratfalls and much consuming of wine.
Cupid performs a daredevil act, treacherously balancing on a table piled high with five chairs. Cupid then performs an “accidental” but side-splitting spin on the aerial straps.
Apollo performs a daring, death-defying feat on the trapeze, plummeting to the stage before catching a grip with his feet at the last minute to gasps from the audience.
The gods pull out their comedy chops between these fantastic acrobatic feats.
In one memorable scene among many, Zeus banishes Hercules to the Underworld.
But first, we wait interminably to enter, accompanied by tinny elevator music.
A crazy comic routine follows, ushered in by ‘Uncle’ Hades and demonic nuns.
The show culminates in a rib-tickling routine with the four gods posing as Greek statues, all nude but with only three brass plates between them to cover their modesty.
Complemented by great music, lighting, and a clever script, this show is bold, fearless, and sassy, starring Greek gods, circus and comedy – what’s not to like?
Performance Details: Until October 23
Venue: Runaway Festival Park (The Vault) – Testing Grounds Market Sq, Queen Victoria Market (391 Queen St, Melbourne)
Bookings: melbournefringe.com.au

• Review by Kathryn Keeble