Madeleine Martin
Jeromaia Detto returns to Adelaide Fringe in 2026 with Giuseppe’s Love Quest, a new interactive clown show following the hopeful Italian beach boy Giuseppe Alfresco as he sets out to answer one deceptively simple question: what is love? Built around playful audience participation and Detto’s signature style of joyful absurdity, the show invites the crowd to help Giuseppe navigate the strange world of connection and romance.
We caught up with Detto to talk about the role of play in his work, and what clown can reveal about love.
Jeromaia Detto: Giuseppe’s Love Quest is at Adelaide Fringe at The Bally at Gluttony, March 3-15, at 9:15pm. Tickets are available through Adelaide Fringe Box Office.
Madeleine: Hi Jero! For readers meeting Giuseppe for the first time, who is he, and why is he searching for love?
Jeromaia: Giuseppe is a humble Italian beach boy who is yearning for connection. He has so much love to give, but struggles to understand how to love. He is innocent, doe-eyed, and ever-so-optimistic that understanding love is but a moment away.
Madeleine: Giuseppe’s Love Quest is described as an “all-in hour of collaborative play.” What does collaboration with the audience look like in this show?
Jeromaia: In the show, the audience are there to help Giuseppe discover what love could be. They are called upon to teach him to hug, to help see how he’s perceived, to connect with and try to charm. Love is so unique, yet so universal, so by creating a space that invites people to be involved uncovers lots of interesting ideas!
Madeleine: Your previous shows MUSH and When I Grow Up…were warmly received at Adelaide Fringe. In what ways is Giuseppe’s Love Quest similar to those works, and where does it differ? And how does it feel to be bringing a brand new show to the festival in 2026?
Jeromaia: Audiences can expect the same zany, playful nonsense that has become a core part of my performance style, however, for the first time ever, I’m doing a single character solo show! It’s always exciting launching a new show, getting to go back to the start with something a little rough and let the first audiences help shape it into what it can be.
Madeleine: How do you create a space where audiences feel safe enough to be silly?
Jeromaia: A big part of it is rhythm and sensitivity to who is ready to play and how to ask questions in such a way that audiences don’t always feel totally on the spot. Also, starting with simple games to show them that they are in safe hands and that it’s okay to play. Often, audiences are hesitant because they feel they could be made fun of, but I always try to make myself the butt of the joke. My goal in every performance is to have the audience excited to be involved by the end of the show – hands up and eager to play!
Madeleine: The show asks, “What is love?”. Do you think there’s an answer?
Jeromaia: Of course there is an answer, there are many answers. And some might discover these answers on the night, for others they might leave wondering, unpacking how they see love. In every show, I ask the audience to share what love is for them. My favourites so far have been “love is watching a movie in PJs on the couch” and “love is like having someone carry your backpack of life for you”.
Madeleine: With Philippe Gaulier’s recent passing, many performers have been reflecting on his legacy. What memories or lessons from your time with him continue to stay with you?
Jeromaia: I considered these responses on the plane, en route to Paris for a week for Philippe’s funeral, before racing back for Adelaide Fringe. Gaulier was an absolute giant of the performance world. There’s no one, in recent time, who has had more of an impact on clown – and, by extension, the festival circuit – than Philippe Gaulier. All of our favourite fringe performers have studied with him or through people who studied with him.
My top lessons from my two years at École Philippe Gaulier, with translations:
“You are a pharmacist, it is all you are – pharmacist, horrible pharmacist.”
If you are boring, the audience will hate you. You have to have the pleasure to play, or you leave.
“Did you hear the rabbit farting? I could hear one. Blupsss – little fart of rabbit.”
Have a strong voice, no little characters. Bad voice and the audience will be uncomfortable.
“Too much a penguin with pain in his balls, but he doesn’t know which one is hurting.”
Don’t sway, be still, hold the space, and the fixed point.
Madeleine: Given the themes of Binge Fringe, if your show was a beverage of any kind – alcoholic, non-alcoholic, be as creative as you like! – what would it be and why?
Jeromaia: It would be a Spritz: light, refreshing, a bit fruity, and perfect to share on a date!
Once again, catch Jeromaia Detto: Giuseppe’s Love Quest at Adelaide Fringe at The Bally at Gluttony, March 3-15, at 9:15pm. Tickets are available through Adelaide Fringe Box Office.
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