Mythos: Ragnarök Review – Norse Mythology Meets Pro Wrestling Spectacle
- Sarah
- Mar 23
- 4 min read
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
There’s something quite magical about sitting in a theatre and not entirely knowing what you’re about to get. With Mythos: Ragnarök, I had a rough idea – Norse gods, a bit of storytelling, some wrestling – but having been to a fair number of pro-wrestling shows with my son (who is a huge wrestling fan), I thought I knew the territory pretty well. I didn’t. This takes pro-wrestling to another level entirely.
And what a place to experience it. Alexandra Palace Theatre is one of those venues that already feels special before anything has even begun. Familiar to many from Later… with Jools Holland, it’s somewhere I’ve been for gigs before, but this was my first time inside the theatre itself – and it really is quite magical. There’s a sense of history and grandeur that perfectly suits a show of this scale.
From the moment it begins, it’s clear this isn’t your average night out. The production values alone are impressive – and you can feel it in every detail. This is not a cheap show to stage. The lighting (designed by Dan Phillips) is bold and cinematic, throwing the action into sharp relief and giving everything a sense of heightened drama. Add to that the live music, which pulses through the space and keeps the energy high throughout, and you’ve got something that feels far bigger than your standard touring production.
What really struck me, though, was how deeply it understands wrestling – not just as a sport, but as a form of storytelling. Yes, the fight scenes are impressive (and they really are), but it goes far beyond that. It embraces the full language of wrestling: surprise appearances, entrance music hitting at exactly the right moment, characters playing to the crowd, and those brilliantly tense face-offs that build anticipation before a single move is made. It captures that sense of spectacle and payoff that wrestling fans love, while still working seamlessly as theatre.
The performers are hugely impressive. This is a cast of professional wrestlers, but their acting skills are genuinely put to the test here - it's Shakespearean in feel. The athleticism on display is incredible (there were moments where I was genuinely holding my breath), but what elevates it is the characterisation threaded through every movement. There’s no ring, which somehow makes it even more impressive – they’re using the space in inventive, often surprising ways, all while staying completely in character.
Speaking of which, the characters themselves are a lot of fun. Loki – played by writer and creator Ed Gamester – is very much the centre of it all, and rightly so. It’s his vision, his show, and he leans into that with a performance that’s charismatic, mischievous and completely watchable. You’ll find yourself firmly on his side. Thor (James Dunn/Miles Ley), on the other hand, is there to be booed – and trust me, you will. Go prepared to cheer for Loki and boo Thor.
I also loved the female characters. Too often in shows like this they can feel sidelined, but here they’re right at the heart of the action. Freyja (Heidi Katrina) and Gullveig (Louise Young) are particularly strong, holding their own against both the men and each other, with a real sense of power and presence.
The full cast includes Ed Gamester (Loki), Howard Drake (Odin), Fin McCarthy (Borr/Fenrir), Louise Young (Gullveig), Beau Charles (Baldr), Heidi Katrina (Freyja), James Dunn and Miles Ley (Thor), Sam Gardiner (Surtr/Jormungandr), Daisy Jenkins and Rhonda Pownall (Hel), and Melanie Watson (Skuld).
Creatively, it’s led by Ed Gamester (writer/director), with set and costume design by Melanie Watson and lighting by Dan Phillips – and it all comes together to create something that feels genuinely unique.
It’s easy to see why this has sold out at the Edinburgh Fringe year after year. It’s loud, theatrical, slightly chaotic in the best way – and completely different to anything else out there. Go ready to cheer, boo, and get swept up in it. It’s a great evening’s entertainment, and one I’d happily see again. Oh, the cast are happy to have photos taken after the show!
Tour Dates
20th March – 22nd March Alexandra Palace Theatre, Alexandra Palace Way, London, N22
7AY
31st March Wirral Floral Pavillion, Marine Promenade, New Brighton, Wirral,
CH45 2JS
1st April De Montford Hall, Granville Road, Leicester, LE1 7RU
3rd April The Alban Arena, Civic Centre, St Albans AL1 3LD
4th April Northampton Royal & Derngate, Guildhall Road, Northampton,
NN1 1DP
7th April Darlington Hippodrome, Parkgate, Darlington DL1 1RR
8th April St George’s Hall Bradford, 38 Bridge Street, Town Centre,
Bradford, BD1 1JT
10th April Skegness Embassy Theatre, Grand Parade, Skegness, Lincolnshire,
PE25 2UG
17th April Stage City Preston, 53 Tithebarn Street, Preston, PR1 1DJ, United
Kingdom
19th April Royal Hall Harrogate, Royal Hall, Ripon Road Harrogate HG1 2SY
2nd May The Forum Bath, 1A Forum Buildings, Bath, BA1 1UG
Running Time 2 hours including interval
Guidance 12+ guidance, but suitable for all ages. Loud noises, loud music,
flashing lights, theatrical violence, indirect references to sex,
direct references to death, occasional swearing.
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