Review: GODZ at Brighton Fringe ★★★★★
GODZ may not survive scrutiny from the fact-checkers, but this fabulously fun romp inspired by Greek mythology delivers the wows, the laughs, and the man-candy!
GODZ | Brighton Fringe – Brighton Spiegeltent, Old Steine Gardens | Until 3 June | From £15
A bacchanalian orgy of circus skills, bromance, comedy and heresy – GODZ is a treat for the eyes and the funny bones.
On the Venn diagram of comedy and acrobatics, Head First Acrobats are surely the preeminent force to be reckoned with. Shirking on neither the side-splitting lols or the jaw-dropping acts of physicality, Thomas Gorham, Cal Harris, Jordan Twartz & Alex Caulfield (as Apollo, Hercules, Dionysus & Cupid Respectively) are the GODZ of this supremely entertaining hour of sexy, outrageous, daring circus.
There’s a cheeky/camp sense of humour from the off – even the pre-show announcement about camera use gets a big laugh – and our cast of barely-clothed Greek gods never let up, even when they’re teetering high upon an improbably stacked tower of chairs, or displaying impressive feats of strength and agility.
Harris will bring particular joy to anyone who has struggled to shake off Kit Harrington’s role in naff/fun 2014 film Pompeii. He has several standout moments, but you’ll struggle to shake off the image of what his character undergoes toward the end of the show – eye-watering stuff! Gorham delivers an amazing breakdance-trapeze mash-up, and Caulfield – a glint in his eye throughout as Cupid – shows off some impressive balance and strength skills. But it’s perhaps Twartz who impresses the most through sheer variety – he is underman supreme, then knocks out a spectacular diablo display, and then throws in some silks work for good measure!
There’s a narrative involved, but GODZ never takes itself seriously enough to worry about getting bogged down in plot – and nor should the audience. There’s a fun plates act which doesn’t involve spinning, but rather tucking… and when the nuns turn up – yes, nuns – it’s all about letting go and just running with it. The final 20 minutes of the show is an absolute riot (and may be too much for any bible-bashers), a hilariously surreal descent into hell before a rousing finale.
GODZ is a riotous hour of hilarious acrobatic foolery – ancient history has never been this much fun!
I am Joint Editor at To Do List. I like: nice pubs, film marathons, not doing real marathons, bad comedy, plays/musicals with shorter second halves, and the Oxford comma.
