Grapes Of Bacchus ~ Adelaide Fringe 2025 Review

[THEATRE & PHYSICAL THEATRE/Circus ~ VIC ~ WORLD PREMIERE] The Lab at Fool's Paradise, Wed 5 Mar, 2025   When venturing out on a quest it’s always best to have a buddy, a wingman, someone who’s got your back when the going gets tough. In this case of a one person show this required a puppet to share the adventures. Considerable time is taken to establish an intimate bond between these two before they move out in search of the ‘Grapes of Bacchus.’ Or do they stumble upon them by accident in a garden? Once found and tasted, the job appears to be bringing them back home, the circular nature of any good quest. But this entails many a battle and struggle with some mean-spirited beasts, dragons, monsters – I lost count of the adversaries blocking their way. Fortunately, our hero’s mate has some well-honed skills of warcraft and fulfils his role of protecting him. The performer is earnest and well intentioned. Advertised as a clown, this is more a flight of the imagination, where belief is suspended for the whole time. Mind you, the laughs could have been readily milked from a wardrobe malfunction, which could easily have turned into a running gag. I thought it might be some classical tale, but I rather think it may be an original story, so good on him. Theatre is a hazardous journey, so it is quite an achievement just to get a show together from start to finish. There are even some fun circus tricks to lighten the dangers lurking around every corner. Bacchus is the god of pleasure, or is it hedonistic indulgence? Grapes are both a tasty fruit and the basis for the wine which fuelled many a festivity since history began. Like Prometheus giving it all to bring fire to humankind, this intrepid wades through many trials to distribute the bounty a bunch of grapes can bring us. To discover whether he and his offsider survive to enjoy the fruits of their labour or not, you will just have to get along and see. David Cronin Grapes of Bacchus continues at The Lab At Fool's Paradise until Mon 10 Mar. Book at FringeTIX or adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets. #ADLFringe #TheClothesline