Review: GODZ, Peacock Theatre

Photo credit: Beck Stone

With the sound system pumping out lyrics such as “Party, Party, Party” we know we are in for a less formal evening than is sometimes to be found at the Peacock Theatre, part of the enterprising and growing group of theatres run by Sadler’s Wells. Rather than the usual ballet or dance at this venue, it’s new circus that is on offer.

Melbourne-based Head First Acrobats – self-described as lovable idiots – present their widely-toured show Godz in their West End debut and certainly have the packed audience with them all the way. Unusually for a circus skills show, there is a fairly strong narrative and each of the four performers have a particular character: Zeus, Dionysus, Cupid and demigod Hercules. Although for much of the time all four performers were on stage, they all also had their own solo spot too, and these are multi-talented performers.

Thomas Gorham, Jordan Twartz, Liam Dummer and Callan Harris may be listed as acrobats, but they also have skills including diabolo (superb), chair-balancing, whip-cracking, hand balance and a very skilled ladder act, as well as aerial acts on straps and trapeze. There is also mouth-hanging, neck-hanging and a third hanging variant accompanied by ‘Ave Maria’ for which I don’t think the circus community has come up with a title… Eventually, Hercules gets sent first to Greek gods hell and then to Christian Hell, where he is manhandled by nuns. Of course he is, it’s that kind of show.

It’s a very good-natured piece, well-produced with good use of lighting and backing tracks and some suitable, if mostly minimal costumes from Chelsea Angell and Bryn Meredith. Apart from costume, no other creatives are listed and direction is down to the group themselves – making this a rare example of a show that apparently doesn’t need a director to keep the cast on track. The company say they aim to create accessible, entertaining, and original work, and they have certainly achieved that with Godz.

It’s all harmless fun, even when most (or all) of the skimpy costumes come off, but even then there’s more tease than strip. The routine as naked discus throwers, aiming to keep covered up even when there are four men but only three have a discus, may hark back to the pantomime balloon routine but still works when performed as well as it is here. The show is listed as 18+ but this gives an impression of a rather more adult show than is found here – we’d have thought most robust teenagers would be entirely unshocked by the content and language and would probably greatly enjoy the show.

Previously seen at the Edinburgh and Brighton Fringe, Head First offer a combination of great circus skills and good-natured if bawdy humour – have a drink or two first but catch them if you can.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Chris Abbott

Godz plays at London’s Peacock Theatre until 14 June, with further info here.