If you’re looking for mad circus skills mixed up with charm and buffoonery at this year’s FRINGE WORLD, then Elixir is the perfect brew for you. 

Set inside a laboratory, Elixir is a slapstick jaunt where three acrobats-come-scientists partake in various body-enhancing potions. The results range for the erotic to the raucous to the outright apocalyptic as our trio tumble, breakdance, juggle and balance in feats of varying circus skill. And they all do all this while bouncing high-energy physical comedy of each other and the audience.  

Brought to you by Head First Acrobats, this upbeat show is good clean fun. Actually, scrap the “clean” part – Elixir is rather raunchy in parts. But wonderfully so. If anything, Elixir takes notions of toxic masculinity, strips them bare and accentuates the sometimes homoerotic elements of mateship. Which is where the real charm of this show comes to the fore as high camp is thrust across the stage. This most welcome addition of tomfoolery allows this troupe to accentuate their slapstick abilities with glee and delight. 

Stand out star would have to be the disembodied voice of the laboratory AI assistant. Sardonic and thoroughly brutal with the delivery of her jokes, she adds some surprising levity to the proceedings.

That’s not to say the three performers don’t do an incredible job: they do! Especially in showcasing their unique range of skills with inexplicable prowess. However, there was a point mid-show where the energy did dip, breaking what was a glorious rhythm of stunts and trickery. But you can be sure it picks right back up though… the things they can do to a yo-yo, oh my. 

There is a genuine comradery that is apparent among the three acrobats of Elixir, a charming enough display of bromance that gives this show vitality. Elixir is the perfect heady, sweaty concoction of late night fun, sure to lift your spirits.