Melbourne Fringe Festival is back with another season of truly amazing theatre, cabaret, circus, music, dance and… Norse Gods wrestling??!
On cold and wet Melbourne night, my plus one and I ventured out to see Mythos: Ragnarok, a one-of-a-kind theatre show based off Norse Mythology.
What sets Mythos apart is that all the actors are also professionally trained wrestlers who put their skills to breathtaking use on stage in dramatic fight scenes that will have you on the edge of your seats.
Mythos:Ragnarok has been a smash hit across the UK and now makes its international debut at Melbourne Fringe!
Weaving ancient myths, legends and folk tales into original pieces of theatre, Mythos uses actors who specialise in professional wrestling to create some of the most intense and thrilling fight scenes we’ve seen on stage.
The legends of Odin, Thor, Freyja, Loki and a league of other characters are told on stage, with family rivalries and portrayals played out in all out brawls.
Professional wrestling is one of the most recognisable yet least understood performance arts in the world.
Often considered a ‘fake sport’ or a low form of entertainment, it has always been neglected in a theatrical setting until now. Combining the narrative plot of theatre with an interactive storytelling approach (yes, you will be cheering along) and the spectacular action of wrestling, this art form seems like an obvious combo for epic storytelling when you watch it live.
Written and directed by Ed Gamester, who also takes on the lead role as Odin, the story can at times be a little exposition heavy and complex to follow but at its core, its a tale of relationships, betrayal, and the bonds of family.
Even when we got a little lost in the names and characters, we knew that an extremely fun (and physical) battle was always just around the corner. And that’s one of the best parts of the show: the fight scenes that quite literally shake the stage.
This is not a show about wrestling, it’s a layered retelling of Norse legends that use wrestlers to create a theatrical experiences like no other.
While Mythos: Ragnarok is currently the only show of its kind in the world, we wouldn’t be surprised if others try an emulate this style in the future as it definitely works.
Don’t miss this extraordinary battle of the Gods while it’s in Melbourne.
– The Plus Ones
Mythos: Ragnarok is playing at Melbourne Fringe until the 29th October. Book your tickets here.
The venue is wheelchair accessible.
