Return of the GODZ

Curated by Head First Acrobats

Fools Paradise

The Virago in The Entertainment Quarter

Photo Credit Dom Martin

Reviewed by Ron Lee, CSP

Return of the GODZ - Theatre Review

What do you get if you mash The Chippendales with Cirque du Soleil and throw in some naked gods and demigods from Mount Olympus for good measure? Return of the GODZ consists of five male performers who possess diverse, exemplary, high-level circus skills and some comedic talent. After a successful international tour it has opened at The Virago in Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter.

Thomas Gorham as Hermes & Hades, Callan Harris as Hercules, Liam Dummer as Cupid, Anthony Saltalamacchia as Dionysus and Mat Piva as Apollo are all extraordinarily talented.

We've all seen the classic circus routines such as juggling, the aerial straps, the six-chair balance, the cloud swing, the free-standing ladder and gravity-defying acrobatics, but some of the acts in this show are performed in the nude.

The knife throwing act in which the target is a moving, jumping, diving acrobat in front of a wooden board is riveting, and the naked whip cracking also could also be dangerous, painful and possibly permanent. Anything to do with fire is interesting, and the flaming bo staffs keep your attention.

The hair hang is performed with another part of the anatomy. My knees slammed together when they did this one. 

On opening night the organiser did a very, very, very, very, VERY long, drawn out and detailed welcome monologue. It was so lengthy that there were two welcomes to country before the  actual show started. By the time he finished, I needed to have another shave. I hope that it was only an opening night occurrence.

Aside from that, Return of the GODZ should expect a sold-out run, and if the opening night audience is any indication, it will be especially popular with the gay community. In a world of AI, CGI and obsession with screens, it’s gratifying to know that people still appreciate truly sublime talent. Expect to be impressed, astounded, amused and amazed. Throughout the show you will hear yourself gasping.

Tickets Here