Each of the four Head First Acrobats - Cal Harris, Liam Dummer, Thomas Gorham and Jordan Wartz - have their individual moments in the spotlight, and while Wartz and Dummer impress with their respective solos, Gorham's "Finale Man" doesn't land as well as it should.
For a show that is only 60 minutes long, an intermission feels unnecessary. However, even though we are all encouraged to head to the bar and get more drinks, we do get to see Harris do some side tricks on a ladder and a unique RAT test. As entertaining as these are, it would be great if there were less fillers and more appreciable acts on display. Similarly, for those who have seen GODZ before, there are a few familiar routines, and while creating new acts is not easy, having basically the same acts in two different shows is a bit disappointing.
Guest performers on week 1 included the always wonderful Garry Starr giving the audience a brief look at his deep knowledge of Greek misogyny with a scene involving Zeus and his daughter Athena. Jessica Robin's aerial hoop act is equally captivating with how she manoeuvres her body into various positions without even breaking a sweat and with a constant smile on her face. Alannah Hill closes out the guest artists with a fun yet controlled hula-hoop act, even when one hoop decides to spontaneously snap mid-act.
Despite the shortcomings of this variety night, the energy that Head First Acrobats bring and the energy of their guest performers on the first week of Creme de la Creme is on an ultimate high level. Each week is a rotating cast of guest artists so hopefully that will mean Head First Acrobats will also be shaking up their routines.
Show Details
Venue: Testing Grounds, Market Sq, Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne
Season: until 28 October | Fri - Sat 10:00pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Tickets: $45 Full | $40 Concession
Bookings: Melbourne Fringe Festival
Image credit: photography by Sofia Reinking and graphic design by Eiben O’Connor
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