When norse mythology meets pro-wrestling, what else can result from this extraordinary combination besides a fantastic piece of unique theatre?
Written, directed and produced by actor/wrestler Ed Gamester (who also acts as Loki in the show), Mythos: Ragnarok provides a perfect balanced mixture for those who love both wrestling and theatre, as he creates a whole new genre with it being the first show of its kind in the world!
The cast held such high levels of professional wrestling skills, and these were intrinsically interlinked with their brilliant acting to tell the tale of the Nordic myths, like the relationship dynamics between Odin, Loki, Thor, and Freyja. Don’t worry if you have a lack of knowledge of these legends besides the simple MARVEL’s Thor movie series, as the storytelling in itself was phenomenal. It is highly impressive how neither the acting or the wrestling undermine the other, both being performed harmoniously and to the point of perfection that there were never any lulls between each act.
With Melanie Watson as lead designer, who also plays Loki’s daughter in Mythos, the cast’s costumes are amazing as they blend the charm of mythology and the durability of pro-wrestling. Using bright colours and innate details on the clothing, the costumes suit perfectly in the way they represent each character uniquely.
I had not had the opportunity to watch a wrestling show before this, so I was astonished to witness the sense of community created by Mythos, as the audience continuously erupted with raucous cheers and applause. Never in my life have I heard a louder audience than the one for Mythos: Ragnarok, and it is an undeniably deserved reaction for the spectacularity of their show.
Overall, whether you are a wrestling fan, a theatre fan, or a fan of Norse mythology, this show is definitely a Fringe must-watch! I had no idea that wrestling could be presented as such a beautiful contact sport, but the Mythos achieve all this and more.
Image by David Wilson, provided to The Student as press.