Verdict: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (reviewed Wednesday 10 September 2025).
On entry to the auditorium at New Theatre, we see two men on stage with a projector, drawing a caricature of a used car salesman. His name is Rasthomas Bulge, and thus begins our journey Twenty Million Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.
The premise and storytelling harks not only to Jules Verne’s classics (including Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea), but also to the whimsical, philosophical imaginings of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (author of The Little Prince), Roald Dahl’s stories (illustrated by Quentin Blake), Michael Leunig, and a childhood favourite of mine, Norton Juster (author of The Phantom Tollbooth). These stories speak to existential longing, angst and a quest to find humanity again in an absurdist universe.
So it goes without saying that both I and the audience absolutely loved this production presented by Pummel Squad, with two actors creating non-stop each and every character and deeply felt emotions using only arts and crafts, a projector, sound and lighting effects.
The recreation of the ‘mysteries of the universe’ had us all laughing out loud.
At a short but powerful 50-minutes duration, this is inner-child friendly theatre on the Sydney Fringe program that will enchant, delight and keep you smiling.
Twenty Million Thousand Leagues Under the Sea is playing at New Theatre as part of Sydney Fringe until 13 September. For tickets and showtimes, go to https://sydneyfringe.com/events/twenty-million-thousand-leagues-under-the-sea/
CREDITS:
- Created by – Pummel Squad
- Performer/Creator – Cooper Donald McDonald
- Performer/Creator – Harry McGee
- Performer/Sound Design – Yanto Shortis
- Dramaturgy – Ludomyr Kemp-Mykyta
- Producer – Mark Pritchard