There are pockets of awesomeness happening around Christchurch right now with the Buskers Festival in full swing.

Billed as a fusion of circus and theatre, Mere Mortals is a seductive blend of acrobatics, burlesque and theatre. Even the exterior of the venue within the Arts Centre exudes an awesome vibe. The old university gym, Altiora, has the aura of a cabaret fused with a night club – and the buzz goes on inside the doors. So put your devices down, get your adult shoes on and dare to be challenged by this refreshing one hour spectacle.

We live in a world ruled by devices and distractions, devoted to our phones and divorced from the gods. I am swept into a hurley-burl world of sensations by artists who grab my attention and who jolt my mind into a new focus. The gods demand our attention and the audience responds with total joy and abandon. What has become of the gods?

A potpourri of gods lurk in the shadows; they lean on apparatus and emerge from the darkness. Regally seated on a silver throne is the menacing presence of Odin (Danny Lee Syme), the supreme god in Norse mythology who oversees us and who links all the performances. He confronts us and challenges us. His demi gods follow suit. Each artist shows a high level of technical skill with their apparatus. Each one shows complete commitment and courage; they all demand the audience’s adoration – and these gods truly deserve it. 

Working on the Cyr wheel, Leerok Gonzales displays mastery in his role as the playful and forceful Māori god of the wind – Tāwhirimātea. His spinning is surreal. Likewise the two aerial artists (Sarah Clare Judd and Lydia Donaldson) are fluid and secure in their delivery making for riveting viewing. The mischievous juggling Devil (Paul Klaass), is dazzling and debonair.  He even invites a willing audience member on stage with him to claim some fame. She was totally up for it… and the audience erupted. Dionysus (Oblivion Westwood), the god of wine, is luscious and sequined and seductive; she frolics joyfully in the glass, inviting us to party… and to partake.

Each of the gods invite us to engage; to be present, to be in the flesh. They warn us to pay attention, to experience life fully, for if we do neglect the real and superhuman performers in front of us, then we risk causing our own descent into purgatory. 

The theme is significant and warrants further exploration. Perhaps Mere Mortals could have more coherence in the narrative that weaves it all together. Sound balance needs a few tweaks to catch the unusual voicework and some first night gremlins did give us extra thrills.

These are rare gods of acrobatics and performance: they are live flesh and blood and they need to be patronised … otherwise we are doomed to scroll away our lives. 

In the past, humans were enthralled with the gods and their supernatural powers. Now, many more of us are enthralled with how our food is arranged artfully on a plate, or how the drinks trolley is laid out. So I say: ditch the devices, embrace the easterly and head out. 

The gods demand it – and if you’re lucky, they’ll have spared you a ticket.

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