RETURN OF THE GODZ
Peacock Theatre
★★★★
“impressive acts, edgy comedy and a whole lot of joy”
After a sell out 2025 season, ‘Return of the GODZ’ is back and bigger than ever. This camp, high octane feast of acrobatic delights will have you gagged – sometimes literally! Though the plot’s as thin as a Greek prophecy and the pacing occasionally uneven, the infectious party energy is undeniable.
The ‘GODZ’ of Mount Olympus are laid bare in this comedy circus reboot. Packed with dangerously skilful acrobatics, wildly irreverent comedy, and a healthy dose of homoeroticism, this adults-only show will have you cowering, cackling and celebrating Pride season in equal measure.
Produced and directed by award-winning Australian company, Head First Acrobats, this fearless show raises the stakes with a skilful blend of circus acts and subversive humour, wrapped in an unapologetically queer bow. Impressively showcasing human towers, knife throwing, whip cracking, fire work, aerials and so much more, the show is jam packed with strength and prowess. With no nets or harnesses (and sometimes no clothes!), you genuinely fear for the cast’s safety (and sometimes anatomy). Best of all is the queer-coded celebration at its core, joyfully challenging masculine tropes at a time when it really matters.
That said the structure and pacing could be slicker and more cohesive. As you might expect from a circus show, there isn’t much plot – Ancient Greece is more playful theme than driving narrative. The journey feels a little random in places (Christian Hell anyone?), though it’s certainly creative and keeps us on our toes. The high octane acts are interspersed with comedy skits, some hilarious and some less so (lift to Hades, I’m looking at you). A few skits last a beat too long – did we really need to clean every single cheek? With some tweaks, these spectacular performances will shine as brightly as the cast’s golden hotpants.
The design really brings out the party feel. Barely there (and sometimes not there!) costumes by Chelsea Angell and Bryn Meredith channel Ancient Greece through a modern, camp lens – drag Zeus is a glorious final flourish. The simple set of neo classical columns and shimmery gold touches creates context without pulling focus from the action. The lighting design brings the spectacle, complete with sweeping beams and dramatic lightning flashes. The sound design features an eclectic mix of pop and rock bangers, and even the disembodied voice of Zeus himself.
The ensemble – Mat Piva (Hermes), Thomas Gorham (Apollo), Callan Harris (Hercules), AJ Saltalamacchia (Dionysus) and Liam Dummer (Cupid) – is seriously talented. Strength, flexibility, coordination, agility – you name it, they’ve got it, with Dummer’s final aerial sequence a particularly stunning display. Best of all is their rapport with the audience: knowing looks, playful winks and confident audience interaction pulls us straight into the party. An impressive team effort.
If you missed it first time, now’s your chance to witness the power of ‘Return of the GODZ’. With impressive acts, edgy comedy and a whole lot of joy, it’s a winning adults only night out.
RETURN OF THE GODZ
Peacock Theatre
Reviewed on 10th June 2026
by Hannah Bothelton
Photography by Beck Stone
