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Mythos: Ragnarok

Assembly George Square

Four stars

 

Pro Wrestling, from World of Sport to WWE, has always had a form of mythology at its heart. It’s not that big a choreographed leap, then, to present the Norse myths as a series of bodyslams and forearm smashes in a battle royal to end them all. 

 

Seconds out, then, for this epic spectacle brought to the squared circle by writer, director and real life grappler Ed Gamester and his well toned ensemble of fellow grunt and groan merchants. As they apply their larger than life mix of gymnastics and pantomime showmanship, the scenario looks not unlike Game of Thrones re-enacted in a local sports hall. 

 

Gamester is Odin, as the likes of Thor, Loki and others ham it up as opposing warriors in a series of solo assaults and mixed tag matches to illustrate classical narratives honed into theatrical rhetoric. This set up is akin to when Marvel comics introduced the same set of gods into the mix, making them more accessible for school age superhero fans and giving them a classical education as they went. By doing this in the flesh, Mythos has scaled things up to keep the legends alive. It’s a knockout. 

 

Assembly George Square, until 25h August, 8.55pm


The List, August 2024

 

ends

 

 

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