Ten Thousand Hours - Gravity & Other Myths: Adelaide Fringe 2025 Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars for mesmerising, jaw-dropping, uplifting acrobatics
Review by (Mel)
Ten Thousand Hours provides a mesmerising and jaw-dropping insight into the incredible abilities, and camaraderie of acrobatic troupe, Gravity & Other Myths.
Backed by a talented and frenetic percussionist, using only minimal props while wearing simple rehearsal attire, the troupe flawlessly weaves acrobatics, performance, fun and even a rehearsal into the mix as a digital clock counts down Ten Thousand Hours.
This show doesn't tell a story so much as invite the audience to witness first-hand, the dedication, skill and courage of this world-renowned travelling troupe of performers, whose origins are in Adelaide.
Gravity & Other Myths make their seemingly impossible physical feats look incredibly easy. Walking on each other's shoulders, forming human pyramids and flipping in the air are performed with ease and comfort. Their teamwork, respect, communication and reliance on each other are always evident. As a little aside, if you're taking kids (this is a friendly show for families), Ten Thousand Hours demonstrates many wonderful teamwork behaviours - mutual respect, support, encouragement and appreciation for movement.
At times, it's hard to tell where improvisation meets choreography but one thing is evident - Gravity & Other Myths is very special to watch. Even a kid in the back row shouted out "this is the best thing ever". It's hard not to agree with this statement!
The audience particularly loved the mid-show rehearsal as two performers attempted to achieve a complicated manoeuvre with "almost success". The crowd erupted in cheers of support when the two performers finally achieved their goal. This makes the show so unique - it is not just a finished, polished production. Being invited, as an audience to witness a snippet of the persistence and determination required to achieve such an amazing end product is a privilege.
This talented troupe loves to move and challenge their body's physical boundaries, and this makes Ten Thousand Hours fun, inspiring and a joy to watch.