Helios

Wright & Grainger are worldwide multi-award-winning storytellers for their previous shows Eurydice, Orpheus, and The Gods, The Gods, The Gods (the latter two have limited performances elsewhere in the Fringe this year). I’m a huge fan myself – despite it being a repeat season, Orpheus was still my pick of the Fringe in 2023: even my mum loved it (though for her, The Gods X 3 won out). Does their new show Helios live up to our high expectations?

Maintaining the concept of resetting Ancient Greek myths to Modern England, this Helios is more about the son of the God of the Sun – Phaethon, which, as storyteller Alex Wright tells us, is a pretty poor name for a teenage boy.

We’re told of his family, his friends and enemies – and how he navigates them on the school bus, but where Wright rises head and shoulders above the rest is how he shapes just enough of the characters for us, the audience, to recognise them, and then he’ll leave us to fill in the gaps with our real-life memories. The players in this story are far from stereotypes, yet we all know people like them.

Wright is the best storyteller in town: he’s unassuming when you see him, always smiling and welcoming to all. And when he starts to tell a story, he captivates his audience from the first words. When he pauses, his body momentarily motionless, we hold our breath, collectively, in anticipation of what he says next. He makes each one of us feel like he’s talking to us directly. The stories are deeply personal – and we’re intimately involved. I can’t recall ever feeling simultaneously euphoric and heart-broken, yet that’s how I left this show.

The performance is different from previous shows in that Phil Grainger’s infectious music is not played live, instead it’s a more electronic-orchestral backdrop to Wright’s magical words. It is a little poorer for that: Grainger’s musical vocals bring a counterpoint to Wright’s spoken words – but the music itself is superb in its support of the story, pacing Wright as he races through – it’s beautifully written and wonderfully told. Wright calls on individuals in the audience to be alternative voices – there’s no shortage of volunteers in this safe space – and it’s another way he holds us tight around the bare-globe light.

Helios is not only worthy to be amongst Wright & Grainger’s illustrious catalogue, but it might just be the best yet. Helios is where you will believe again in the childhood simplicities of wonder – and its opposite complexities of family and friendship. It’s where you will be re-invigorated by the power of a great story, brilliantly told.

Review by Mark Wickett

To check out or round-up of Adelaide Fringe reviews, click here.