Mythos: Ragnarök @ Underbelly Circus Hub
Bringing together the worlds of contemporary theatre, Norse mythology and pro wrestling, Mythos: Ragnarok is a joyful night out
Returning to Edinburgh for its fourth consecutive year, Mythos: Ragnarök blends tales of Norse Gods with the physicality of professional wrestling. For Ed Gamester (writer, director, producer and this year’s Loki), this show is his own labour of love. Fortunately for Gamester, this love’s labour is not lost on his Scottish audience with many fans proudly sporting merch from previous years, anxious for their yearly pilgrimage to watch grown men fling each other over their heads.
Mythos tells the tale of Allfather Odin’s rise to power, his uneasy alliance with Loki, God of tricks, and the inevitable betrayal that follows. The nine-person strong team (some old, some new) feature a Russian doll-like stream of large and even larger men on stage, tattooed and enormous. Dressed and designed by Gamester’s partner Melanie Watson, their series of blows, throws and takedowns are impressive; women throw the men across the stage and the tent rings with the smack of flesh on floor.
It’s loud, it’s silly, it’s a great night out. While it would be a mistake to try and compare Mythos to Macbeth, the sheer joy and pride of the performers on stage and that of the audience is what makes Mythos memorable.
Having previously performed at Gilded Balloon, Assembly Roxy and the Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre, Mythos benefits from returning to the round. Tuesday's show in the 550-capacity Lafayette tent at the Underbelly Circus Hub was a sold-out return after the previous day's cancellation due to weather; Gamester’s rueful apology that, despite pleas, Thor the God of Thunder had not seen fit to call off the storm.
After being told wrestling has no place in theatre, Gamester sold ‘everything he owned’ to pursue his dream of bringing wrestling to people worldwide. Since 2021, Mythos has toured the globe, performing to audiences of one and upwards. While it struggles slightly to match its audio to this larger venue, the craft and enthusiasm of the Mythos performers makes it an unmissable event for this year’s Fringe.
Mythos: Ragnarök, Underbelly's Circus Hub on the Meadows, until 23 Aug, 8.40pm, £18.50-20.50