It’s Always Sunny on Olympus
★★★☆☆ Fun
theSpace on the Mile (Venue 39): Sun 9 – Sat 29 Aug 2026
Review by Hugh Simpson.
Combining sitcom and mythology is the kind of high-concept premise that can always find a willing audience at the Fringe. It’s Always Sunny on Olympus from Mind Yer Head and New Celts at theSpace on The Mile doesn’t completely succeed in living up to its promise, but is entertaining nevertheless.
As the reference in the title might suggest, Henry Theakston and Aaron Khachaturian’s play is a comedy featuring an ill-assorted bunch who are constantly undermining each other. In this case they are the Olympian gods, fresh from defeating the Titans and ascending to power over the cosmos – a power they are completely unfitted to wield.
Henry Theakston, Joshua Sinclair, Eve Young, Aaron Khachaturian and Scott Hardie. Pic Jed Shots
The premise of a group of youngsters taking over a world their parents’ generation have ruined while having little idea what to do about trying to save it, or indeed how to be ‘adult’, does have a wider relevance, but this is lightly stressed among the comedy.
There is a great deal of back-biting and name-calling, but despite the 16+ guideline (which some of the content does admittedly justify) it’s a sweeter affair than you might imagine. It goes round in circles a little, and sometimes relies on obvious gags (such as examples of the Caledonian cringe we should have grown out of by now). The programme note claims that the play ‘really wrote itself’, but it could probably have done with just a little more outside help.
It is all pretty funny and breezy enough however, and performed with energy. Khachaturian plays Zeus as a preening, self-obsessed manchild, constantly manipulating others to gratify his own ego, and does so with a forthright presence.
successfully drawn
Theakston’s Poseidon is self-pitying and passive-aggressive, with an unusual interest in an octopus, while Joshua Sinclair’s Hades is completely lacking in confidence and prone to following trends. While both are played with gusto, it’s a symptom of the play’s comparatively underdeveloped air that it takes a long time for the characters to be truly distinguishable from each other.
Scott Hardie’s energetic Hermes and Eve Young’s apparently assertive but deeply insecure Athena are more successfully drawn characters, and accordingly have greater impact. Young in particular has considerable dramatic presence.
Aaron Khachaturian, Scott Hardie and Joshua Sinclair. Pic Jed Shots.
Jake Sleet’s direction is pleasingly kinetic, giving a fluidity to a play whose sitcom inspiration might otherwise make it overly episodic. Ruth Balaguer Schmidt’s design makes excellent use of the acting space and uses comparatively small resources to achieve a great deal. Lewis Linning’s technical management is highly impressive.
There are plenty of little touches that please; a virtual assistant called Alexos, divine characters saying ‘for me’s sake’ when frustrated, or unexpected songs given a Greek makeover (Zeus’s high-pitched rendition of Let It Go a particular highlight). These moments suggest a level of invention that is not always sustained by a production that has faults but is always fun.
Running time: One hour 10 minutes (no interval)
theSpace on the Mile (Space 3), 80 High St, EH1 1TH. (Venue 39).
Sunday 9 – Saturday 29 August 2026.
Daily (odd dates only): 1.45pm.
Tickets and details: Book here at EdFringe.com.
Tickets direct from venue: Book here.
Instagram: @mindyerhead.theatre
TikTok: @mindyerheadtheatre
ENDS
