“Hilarious and more than a little crazy.”
Dive head first into GODZ. Blending mythology with comedy and acrobatics, three and a half gods in the form of half-naked acrobats delight in this oddly amusing show. Breaking the mold, it’s a far cry from typical West End theatre which makes it all the more memorable.
GODZ is exactly what one would expect to see at a Fringe festival, which is fascinating because the Peacock Theatre is far from Fringe. There is a very loose plot revolving around Hercules’s venture from Demi-God to God, but it’s more a guiding suggestion than an actual storyline. Despite the lackluster plot, it’s a highly entertaining evening of tricks and silliness.
Each acrobat brought something different into the mix. Liam Dummer was a wonder of flexibility, sensuality, and strength. As Cupid, his airy grace was charming and his final aerial straps number as Zeus was the most impressive acrobatic piece of the entire show. Thomas Gorman is clearly an accomplished breakdancer; he shined as Hades, performing a fiery aerial swing piece that boasted a headstand on the moving swing. Jordan Twartz’s Diabolo juggling and striking expressions were eye-catching. He and Dummer also wowed in their naughty nun aerial number. Callan Harris’s Hercules led what little plot GODZ has. His himbo-esq portrayal of the ancient demigod and playful flirtation with the audience makes him the perfect man to guide the night. As an acrobat, he’s a one-man balancing act, whether it be chairs or ladders, all that he does seems to defy the laws of physics.
It is not the cleanest of acrobatic acts, but what it lacks in polish, it makes up for in comedic value. Some of the tricks are shakier than they should be, notably Dummer and Twartz’s partner
balances, but they are nonetheless impressive. The cast is expressive and their playfulness with each other as well as the
audience is thoroughly engaging. Whether they are defying gravity or cracking whips there’s always some hint of hilarity. The nudist number, where silver trays are all that separate the
audience from a full Richard Gere experience, is wonderfully obscene. Nothing, however, compares to Hercules’s visit to Christian Hell. Really, what could beat high-flying, horny nuns?
It’s far from a perfect show, but with some polish and perhaps a little more plot it would be brilliant. GODZ is a wild ride that’s well worth the price of admission.
It’s a mess but it sure is entertaining.