Verdict: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (reviewed Wednesday 14 May 2025).
Grifted & Talented presented by Jetpack Theatre is the most insanely hilarious comedy game-show in town. Contestants from the world of circus, stand-up and more must face a range of challenges that will leave you absolutely stunned that they are even possible.
This particular night featured circus wonder woman Gemima Jones and comedians AJ Lamarque and Jordana Wegman competing for the top spot. Their blend of bravado, wit, self-deprecating charm and clever strategy created the kind of laughter therapy I needed.
Host Jim Fishwick (General Manager of Jetpack Theatre) with their glam assistant Emilia Higgs executed the vision of this show perfectly: to put talented people on the spot and surprise them with a challenge, which in turn surprises and delights the audience, regardless of whether or not the challenge is performed successfully.
Raising the stakes, contestants must also guess whether their fellow competitor can perform the trick. Can a contortionist squeeze through a tennis racket? Can a song be performed in corporate-speak? Most intriguing of all, can you out-do your competitor in creating a dramatic entrance?
Coming in at a tidy 60 minutes, this is a high level game-show concept that is extremely well developed, entertaining and daring in its less-see-what-happens approach.
Every night promises to offer something different, with a diversity of talent featuring on other nights during the Sydney Comedy Festival.
Grifted & Talented is playing at The Factory Theatre in Marrickville till 16 May 2025 as part of the Sydney Comedy Festival. For tickets and showtimes, go to https://aucentury.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/145697
For more info on Jetpack Theatre and upcoming performances, go to https://www.jetpacktheatre.com/grifted-and-talented/
Credits:
PRODUCTION TEAM
Created and Hosted by Jim Fishwick
Presented by Jetpack Theatre with Sydney Comedy Festival
Produced by Talia Meyerowitz-Katz
Publicity by Emma Maguire
Tech Design by Christopher Mederos
Game Design Consulting by Alex McMillan
Production Design Consulting by Tara Sriharan
Production Videography by Hayden Wright
Production Photography by Shane Porter
CAST
Wednesday 14 May: AJ Lamarque, Gemima Jones, Jordana Wegman
Thursday 15 May: Juliet Timmerman, Montaigne, Sam Wade
Friday 16 May: Alex The Astronaut, Guneet Kaur, Kat Hoyos