The 2026 Adelaide Fringe Festival hasn’t opened yet, but somebody forgot to tell The Dummies. Fervently led by “General Waste”, this trio started their 5-week season in The Garden of Unearthly Delights with a solid opening night (afternoon) that had the whole audience jumping, yelling, laughing, and throwing. 

No word of a lie, my 9-year-old daughter called it her favourite show she’s ever seen. If you’re looking for a show that’ll entertain the whole family, from toddlers to grandparents, Trash Test Dummies Circus is a safe bet this Fringe season.

But of course, it should be. The formula is tried and well-proven. Slapstick makes everyone laugh, even the moody teenagers. Someone copping a hit to the head and/or groin is funny. Sorry, but it’s basic human humour. And if you’re not laughing at the pain these guys inflict on themselves and each other, you may be in denial, or in need of therapy.  

The lighting is simple but effective and does what it needs to do. The use of well-known musical pieces is cleverly done and fun. The show itself is a little bit mental, with gymnastics, juggling, percussion, circus feats, and even a little line-dancing, in what we can only assume is an insurance nightmare. It’s a bit ‘Stomp’, a bit circus, and a bit ‘Crazy Frog’, all melded into an hour of endless energy and belly laughs.

If The Three Stooges started a family with one of those little yellow Minion guys, ‘The Dummies’ would be the resulting children. Stupid, lovable, hilarious, clever, and never not entertaining. 

Extremely well hidden behind the frontage of slapstick fun are 3 highly talented performers. The skill and concentration required is very well disguised, such is the aptitude and professionalism of these three. They come across as slightly insane bundles of energy and fun, but what they do requires intense training, practice, and precision. 

Trash Test Dummies Circus is playing for the entire Fringe season. They’re a small, independent, Australian company who deserve, and are worthy of, local performance-loving support. You might even be able to get them doing their thing at your school (email schools@adelaidefringe.com.au). 

But don’t wait to get tickets. This is their last season as part of the Adelaide Fringe, and I suspect they’ll be playing to many sold-out audiences.