Godz – REVIEW
Image: GODZ, The Vault, Sydney Fringe. Photo by Ryan Alexander
Well Greece me up and throw me to the GODZ!
Whilst not hugely accurate in the telling of the Greek Classics, there’s certainly no shortage of saucy storytelling and physical fun to be had in this high wire, athletically exhausting, acrobatic feast for the senses!
Turning up a bit peckish at the Spiegeltent Festival Garden at The Entertainment Quarter I was left rather frustrated at the total lack of any vegan food options. So, by the time it came to take my seat to see GODZ, I was also a tad on the grumpy side. However, my delicate vegan sensibilities were completely and utterly demolished once the show started, to put it bluntly, there was a lot of man MEAT on offer, and I mean a lot!
If you are into either acts of spectacular strength, laugh out loud physical comedy or gravity defying stunts that will leave you on the edge of you seat (surprisingly, as it turns out, I am) this show delivers all that and more!
It can’t be denied, in the tradition of Spiegeltent and all things Burlesque, the show can appear a little rough around the edges (is that a Two-Dollar-Shop nuns outfit I see onstage!?) However, if anything, the limits in wardrobe budget and staging add to the charm of this piece and in my opinion, encourages the viewers to connect with the performers and their eagerness to entertain even more.
The word Boylesque doesn’t quite sum up what is on stage, is Musclesque a word? Let’s go with hedonistic and homoerotic instead. One of the strengths of this show is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously at all, and that helps construct it’s definite, yet impious appeal.
GODZ has already done the rounds of a few festivals and won a rather impressive slew of awards and it’s not surprising why. The cast are all very clearly expert in their roles to the point they can adlib around script and still hit crucial marks and keep crucial timing for dare devil ariel choreography. Certainly, the high level of intimacy and mutual trust the cast must have in performing so closely is also a subtle strength within the piece.
The cast of Apollo (Thomas Gorham) Hercules (Callan Harris, whose stage presence is off the scale) Dionysus (Jordan Twartz) and Cupid (Liam Dummer who also doubles as a show-stopping gender-Queer, stripper heeled Zeus) are all, without exception, utterly amazing.
Look, I could try to explain certain scenes, such as the grande finale involving hell as a pounding nightclub, breathtaking acrobatics, nuns and a Apollo passing his (prosthetic) nut-sack around the audience to be kissed better, but you know what, I’m actually not even going to try. Go see it yourself, a lot of this show isn’t easy to define and really does have to be seen to be believed.
Expertly combining circus skills, acrobatic feats of wonder and lewd, camp comedic brilliance, I can truthfully say this show is not to be missed, although you’ve been warned, just don’t go along hoping for any vegan treats!
Until October 1
The Vault, Spiegeltent Festival Garden, Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park
sydneyfringe.com
