Jeromaia Detto: When I Grow Up is that rare kind of Fringe show where a nervous, uncertain audience transforms into a roomful of giddy children grabbing strangers’ shoulders in laughter ( well I did!)  and trusting the chaos completely.

The show begins in a haze of mischievous uncertainty — a Chekhov’s gun of costumes with far too many bullets to be fired in an hour. But within minutes, we’re all in: sharing childhood dreams, laughing, participating.

Nothing is explained. All is shown, not told.

The set is a barrage of joy — inflatables, planes, toys, balls, and costumes crammed into a sweaty corner of a tent. The dreamworld of a six-year-old that exploded — but it’s not the props that carry the show at all.

Jeromaia weaves clown, improvisation, nostalgia, and unfiltered silliness, delivered with heart and skillful craft.

Audience participation is at the core, but never forced. We’re all coaxed in with charm, joy, trust, and full-hearted generosity of spirit.

A stand-out moment sees an audience member become a backing dancer, thrown into spontaneous musical numbers with other volunteers he can’t even see — all figuring out the performance as it happens — led by Jeromaia, a massive grin on his face, joyfully pulling us towards the sheer idiocy of the moment. It’s catching, and everyone on stage infects the audience with vibrations of laughter.

As the tension builds, the lead audience “singer” decides he’s just going to say “yes” over and over, the whole crowd joining in, clapping, laughing, and shaking with joyful silliness.

It’s voted the funniest moment of the show — nudging out others that made us all cackle because after each, Jeromaia asks us to rate the previous sketch.

A brave move that starts awkward and British, but ends in yells of consensus — because by then, we’re kind of friends after mucking about together so much.

Some dreams land: Lions rugby player. Corporate window cleaner. Dinosaur. A conga Choo choo train that leaves the tent hits the courtyard and returns to delight from back stage.

Some dreams inevitably wobble — it’s all made up — but the joy never does.

Jeromaia is lead parachutist- convincing us to jump with him – knowing that everywhere there’s somewhere funny to land.

A spiritual shot of joy for a world that badly needs this medicine.

*****

Reviewed by Sharpie

Underbelly George Square – Wee Coo

16.20 (1hr)

Until 24 Aug (not 11 or 18)