Words by Stephanie Babiak.

There's many good reasons to see a Fringe show. If Elixir’s promo photos are anything to go by, watching some extremely athletic men in relatively minimal attire performing incredible acrobatics seems like as good a reason as any other. But if you’re thinking this is the kind of show that’s only going to appeal to those who happen to enjoy looking at aforementioned scantily clad males, then you’re underestimating just how phenomenal the performers are.

Elixir is presented by Melbourne-based crew Head First Acrobats, and if that name isn’t already familiar to you then it should be one you stick on a post-it note immediately. Known for their incredible circus feats, this isn’t actually what sets this company so apart. Their shows, as embodied by Elixir, have an uncanny ability to merge the awe-inspiring, the funny, the raunchy and masterful skill in their field in a uniquely crowd-pleasing way.

Elixir opens to a lab setting, with a computer voiceover wryly explaining that you are about to witness human experimentation, combined with some extremely sardonic barbs reminiscent of the nihilistic banter we’ve come to expect from any form of artificial intelligence (GLaDOS from Portal, anyone?). It’s a small detail, but it sets the irreverent tone and introduces the tongue-in-cheek humour which adds such an enjoyable dimension to the whole show. In fact, some of the small details are often what might make you laugh the hardest, as the performers often sneak in some subtle comedy when it seems you’re most unlikely to be paying attention.

Throughout the performance, the three core performers show incredible range. They are phenomenal at what they do, making the traditional concept of a “triple threat” seem laughably limited by comparison. These men can do it all – from clever character portrayal, hilarious comedy, well-executed slapstick and even a surprisingly passable Whitney Houston tribute. And that is, of course, to say nothing of their physical feats. It’s the kind of show that truly needs to be seen to be believed. Acrobatics in the form of floor work, solo work, group work, hoop work, trapeze and silks are all executed with equal finesse to the wonder and delight of the crowd. It’s so surreal and incredible that you’ll find yourself scared to blink in case you miss something amazing.

But there is an additional factor that makes Elixir truly worth seeing, and it’s something that, in 2021, feels even more important than ever. It’s joy. Elixir, at its core, is joyful. It’s entertaining and it’s funny and it’s pure unfiltered fun. You’ll laugh, you’ll gasp, you’ll cheer, you might even squeal. But above all, you’ll forget the world outside the Elixir lab for a moment, and instead simply enjoy these sixty minutes as these incredible performers work their magic. It’s an experience that absolutely should not be missed.

Rating: ★★★★★