Forget everything you learnt about Greek mythology at school. The gods have returned, and they’re bringing muscles, mayhem, outrageous comedy and some seriously impressive circus skills with them.
Return of the GODZ, from Australian circus company Head First Acrobats, has landed at Sydney Fringe following a sold-out season in London’s West End. And while the premise might be ancient, the show is anything but traditional.
The 90-minute adults-only spectacular throws five ridiculously talented performers into the roles of Hercules, Hermes, Cupid, Apollo and Dionysus, with Greek mythology serving as a very loose excuse for what follows. Expect jaw-dropping acrobatics, aerial work, fire, human pyramids, feats of strength and plenty of cheeky audience interaction.
But the real magic is the combination of elite circus skills and completely unashamed silliness. These performers aren’t just impressively athletic; they know how to work a room. One minute you’re watching an apparently impossible feat of strength, and the next you’re laughing at a joke that definitely wasn’t included in your Year 7 mythology textbook.
There’s also plenty of bare skin, but the show is much more circus spectacular than strip show. The performers use their athleticism, physical comedy and charisma to create something that feels playful, camp and gloriously over-the-top.
And just when you think you’ve seen the most impressive stunt of the night, another one arrives. The acts are genuinely jaw-dropping, with the performers tossing, balancing, climbing, flying and contorting themselves in ways that make you question whether human bodies are actually supposed to do these things.
The audience is very much part of the fun, too, so don’t be surprised if the gods decide to interact with their mortal followers. It’s all delivered with a knowing wink, making Return of the GODZ the kind of show where you can sit back, laugh loudly and marvel at the sheer physical skill on display.
Playing at The Virago at Fool’s Paradise, Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park, from 26 August to 11 October, tickets start from $45 and the show is strictly 18+.
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