REVIEW: PSYCHOPOMP, Adelaide Fringe 2025 ★★★★☆

Psychopomp is a hedonistic, trippy, and deeply human exploration of life, death, and the absurdity of existence. Created and performed by Poppy Mee, the show invites the audience into a surreal summoning and conversation between a mortal grappling with her fear of death and an immortal god of death who has never experienced mortality but is utterly fascinated by it. The result is a whirlwind of madness, humour, and raw sincerity that lingers long after the final bow.

The God Between Life and Death, played with an otherworldly physicality, is the show’s standout. Their larger-than-life presence is both alien and magnetic, as they marvel at the human experience with a childlike curiosity. The god’s journey from awe to jealousy as they inhabit a human body for the first time is a masterclass in physical comedy and existential reflection. Their manic enjoyment of human sensations—whether it’s biting a bunch of grapes, the thrill of touching oneself, or the recounting of hilariously raunchy stories from the departed—creates a stark contrast to Poppy’s mortal anxieties.

Poppy, as the mortal foil to the god’s immortal exuberance, is a relatable and endearing guide through this existential chaos. Her fear of death and impermanence is palpable, and her quest for answers from an all-powerful being who has never experienced mortality themselves is both futile and deeply human. The dynamic between Poppy and the god is electric, oscillating between comedy and pathos as they navigate the absurdity of life and the inevitability of death. However, I found myself wishing for a bit more development of Poppy’s character. While the god’s manic energy dominates the stage, Poppy’s realization of the value of her own life feels slightly underdeveloped. A little more time to explore her emotional arc would have added depth to an already rich narrative.

The show’s sound design, unfortunately, detracts from its brilliance. At times, the story recordings—particularly during the god’s storytelling—was difficult to follow, making it hard to fully appreciate the hilarity and nuance of their recollections. This was especially true during the second story, where the clarity of the sound seemed to falter. A more polished audio setup would elevate the experience significantly.

Despite these minor flaws, Psychopomp is a triumph of clowning and storytelling. It’s a show that dares to be both raunchy and sincere, mad and meaningful. At just under an hour, it feels a tad short—I could have easily spent more time in this bizarre, beautiful world. But perhaps that’s the point: life, like the show, is fleeting, and we’re left craving just a little more. Psychopomp reminds us that even in the face of impermanence, life is worth savouring—orgies, grapes, cheezels and all.

Recommended drink: A glass bottle of Perrier, something fizzy and cold, sharp but pleasant on the tongue to remind you that you are alive and that this moment, like all others, should be savoured.

Catch PSYCHOPOMP from Fri 14th to Sun 16th at 19:30 with an additional 15:30 performance on Saturday. Tickets are available on the Adelaide Fringe website.