A Kingdom of Mushrooms, Five Senses, Infinite Wonder and You review | Melbourne Fringe | Artitude Studios

I love mushrooms. If there’s a meal with mushrooms in it, chances are I’m ordering it - and demolishing it. But I’ve never really thought about mushrooms beyond eating them. Until now. Presented by Off The Spectrum, A Kingdom of Mushrooms, Five Senses, Infinite Wonder and You invites audiences to do exactly what it promises - step into this mysterious, magical world of fungi. This isn’t limited to sight and taste, either. It’s a full-blown sensory trip through the life of mushrooms, engaging all five senses… yes, even sound.

Upon arrival, we’re greeted by our host and co-creator, Jasmin Lefers, who kicks things off by offering us a themed mushroom cocktail. It might be 11am, but this is Melbourne Fringe, so naturally I accept. I opt for the umami martini, infused with shiitake and a touch of ginger. It’s divine, earthy, and with the perfect level of unusual.

Inside, the venue is divided into several pockets of exploration. Though compact, each area is cleverly demarcated, creating an intimate adventure in every corner. Our first stop is Sound, and what a way to dive headfirst into the world of fungi. I had no idea mushrooms could sing! Electrodes pick up their faint electrical signals, converting them into an ambient soundscape, in effect, turning mushrooms into unexpected musicians. The result is strange and hypnotic: soft electronic pulses, ghostly tones, and drifting rhythms that feel alive. I can only imagine how surreal and revitalising it would be to hear this in a forest, surrounded by the organisms themselves.

Next, we move to Taste, where an on-site chef has prepared five mushrooms samples that are all the same size but have all been cooked differently. We work our way through them one by one - a fresh mushroom, a pickled one, a broth, a delicate floss, and a fully dehydrated sample. It’s fascinating how drastically the flavour, mouthfeel, and appearance shift with each preparation. Mushrooms, it turns out, are masters of reinvention.

I won’t spoil the rest, because The Kingdom of Mushrooms thrives on surprise and discovery, but this isn't just the sense stations that we can engage with. Art work on Aaron McKenzie’s intricate mushroom drawings and pieces line the walls and surfaces, and Mycelium Matters’ pot plants, grown from living mycelium, dot the space. These pots are further proof that fungi can be functional and beautiful. At the beginning of this journey, Lefers tells us there’s nothing mushrooms can’t do. After this encounter, I’m completely inclined to agree.

Walking out of A Kingdom of Mushrooms, I’m left with a curious, remarkable feeling: I’ve seen, eaten, listened to, touched, and smelled my way through a world I barely knew existed. Mushrooms, in all their quiet complexity, have a rhythm, a texture, and a life that stretches far beyond the plate. This isn’t simply an exhibition or workshop - it’s an invitation to awareness, to notice the magic in the small and the often overlooked. If you’ve ever underestimated fungi, this experience will change your mind, and perhaps even give you an enlightening perspective on the hidden wonders that nature offers.

Read our interview with Off The Spectrum's Jasmin here.

A Kingdom of Mushrooms, Five Senses, Infinite Wonder and You was performed at Artitude Studio between 9 - 12 October as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival.