‘We’ve sold out 80% of our run already,’ announces wrestling pro Ed Gamester amid a sea of applause at the end of Mythos: Ragnarok, an early success story at this year’s festival. Last year, this wrestling/Norse mythology mash-up slowly gathered an audience through word of mouth, but 2023’s edition has hit Edinburgh riding a wave of plaudits for its fast-paced slobberknockers and excitable approach to ancient stories. 

Anyone familiar with the tales of Odin, Loki and their pals will already understand why it’s a natural fit for a wrestling show. Theirs is a world of heels, hasty alliances and unexpected double turns, a violent soap opera encapsulating grand themes of death, greed and betrayal. Following Odin and Loki as they face off against gods and goddesses to create the world of Asgard, this cast of wrestlers turn epic battles recounted in Norse mythology into intricate grapple-fests that could put The Rock to shame. Alongside expository explanations of the myths themselves, the dialogue is loaded with humour while every one of Odin’s cohort is vividly drawn. 

This isn’t a cast of actors, and their limitations become glaring when the stakes are raised dramatically in the second half; but it’s easy to forgive a line flub or two when the rest of the package is so much fun. In its mission to reverse the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s sanitisation of Norse mythology and show the grisly side of the old gods, this is an action-packed thrill ride that’ll leave you applauding every bone-crunching body slam. 

Mythos: Ragnarok, Assembly Roxy, until 27 August, 9.20pm.