The lights rise on the four Head First Acrobats, frozen in Greek god-like poses, each displayed on their own plinth (aka chair) as if carved by Michelangelo as they awaited illumination. The voice of Zeus fills The Vault venue, sacrilegiously located around the back of St Peter’s Church for the troupe’s toying with divine representation, introducing Apollo, Hercules, Dionysus and Cupid with a sparkle. On display and ready to play. Inviting us to witness and enjoy their revelry, with playful teasing and a bounty of awe-inspiring physical feats, following Hercules as he frolics with his cousins and consequently finds himself consigned to Hell(s). All with wicked glee.
Award-winning circus and physical theatre group Head First Acrobats are a joy, combining balance, strength and skill with truly delightful storytelling, swagger and irresistible cheeky good humour. Of course they’ve chosen to play at being Olympic Gods, showcasing their array of talents in a variety of aerial acrobatics, diablo, street dance all performed with fabulous comic timing… with a sly wink and the occasional slut-drop. The Olympians are the gold standard in petulant showing off and amusing scrapes. They’re also not short of a good narrative, which the foursome of performers seize with aplomb, eliciting a fabulous mixture of gasps of awe and laughs out loud from the packed out audience.
The GODZ cast has a fantastic time being silly with each other, being playful, affectionate, bitchy, downright fun. And this is what elevates this show above being simply a high level collection of impressive physical displays. Their showmanship strings it all together. Seamless scene transition pockets of comedy. Ego-reducing physical punchlines from world class athletic performers. And a cheeky naked dance updating an old classic with a modern stylish twist. It’s all the fun of Olympus fair.
Brighton Fringe: GODZ
The Vault @ Fool’s Paradise, 5 May 2024, 8pm
