An escalating chain of events, outrageous plot twists, masterful storytelling and top-tier comedy combine to make Sammy J – HERO COMPLEX quite possibly the most wildly entertaining true story of this year’s FRINGE WORLD.

Hooked from the opening scene, the audience is dropped at the doorstep of what appears to be the narrative’s climax. Intrigue instantly piqued, we ring that doorbell - only for Sammy J to cut to the present, leaving us suspended on a cliffhanger. Answers are promised, but first, we need to go back in time to understand how on earth he got into this pickle.

This isn’t run-of-the-mill storytelling. The narrative is built from an inventive mix of spoken word, whimsical musical comedy numbers, light theatricality, and a handful of carefully chosen props that give the story texture and weight.

Sammy J vividly resurrects his teenage self through reading out excerpts from his delightfully cringeworthy childhood diary, charting superhero obsessions and the beginnings of an unconventional friendship. An archive of old photos and grainy high-school VHS footage grounds the story in reality, adding credibility and bringing the moments vividly to life.

Billed as family-friendly, the show is anything but dull. The narrative darts through secretive schoolyard deals, parliamentary triumphs, unlikely UN diplomatic relations, and the interstate trafficking of allegedly stolen goods following a drink-fuelled heist.

Beneath the action sits genuine heart, exploring vulnerability, identity, risk, and the reality of taking losses alongside life’s wins. Wrapped in humour, it’s a heart-warming hour well spent and a reminder that sometimes it really is okay (and occasionally life-changing) to meet your heroes.

If you’re wondering whether Sammy J - HERO COMPLEX is for you, just ask yourself one simple question: do you like being entertained?