ELIXIR is a theatrical piece of performing arts that takes place in a world that has entered apocalypse mode. Setting the scene by kicking off the show in the midst of a zombie outbreak, the audience is transitioned into a science laboratory. A team of three scientists (Cal Harris, Thomas Gorham, and Harley Timmermans) work together in experimenting with different types of human elixir. Each concoction presents itself as affecting the scientists with a set of characteristics to transform them into an army of superhumans. What follows is a solid 60 minutes of human agility, dexterity, and pure finesse that is peppered with just the right amount of unadulterated humor, cheeky enthusiasm, and charming brinkmanship to leave audiences magnetised to the gobsmacking talent unfolding on stage.
The show appears to have a fairly linear storyline, but it balances out its moments of dynamic movement with those that attract hysterical laughter fits from every corner of the audience space. Words are few but the narrative is easy to follow with its larger-than-life acrobatic actions that attract a collective gasp from the audiences, not too long after leaving them in stitches from laughing too hard at the playful entertainment via the performers engaging in mischievous moments to one-up each other. The lighting on stage highlights the minimalist style of costume changes and prop add-ons, while the audiences are enthralled in a sensory experience where slapstick comedy meets titillating acrobatics and gymnastics to leave the audiences stomping their feet and clapping their hands out of sheer entertainment and excitement at what awaits them next.
If you are a fan of this sort of genre, then you're going to love this form of contemporary circus that delivers with a dazzling and highly energetic team of performers, who were born to set the stage on fire with their sexy and sultry set of cyr wheeling, beatboxing, balancing handstands, aerials. It's the ultimate form of circus and physical theatre that is mixed with comedy in a sense that makes this a thoroughly appealing piece of performing arts for anyone in need of a pick-me-up. Each performer is able to switch between their personas with a shot of every progressive elixir, which proves to be even more potent than the previous hit, resulting in a more decadent combination of mischief, mayhem, and might as the show goes on.
ELIXIR by Head First Acrobats is one of the best shows that I've been honored to attend during the Adelaide Fringe opening weekend. It is an absolute no-brainer as to why this show has won multiple awards and is performed to a sell-out crowd (in a COVID-safe manner, of course) - it offers audience with a sense of escapism into this alternate reality, where despite it attempting to survive a zombie outbreak, finds a way to enjoy the little moments. Through a lighthearted plotline that progresses into a highly electric, perfectly-choreographed, and well-complemented soundscape (both live and orchestrated) to present a cohesive end result, ELIXIR is a show that you certainly don't want to miss this Fringe season.
Overall rating: ★★★★★