Jon Walpole and Jeromaia Detto burst onto the stage with an infectious, high-energy that immediately had the audience completely hooked. If you’ve ever wondered what Auntie Donna might look like repackaged for a five-year-old, this is pretty close to the answer, and it worked a treat.
The premise is wonderfully simple: two bumbling brothers who can’t quite remember how their stories go, needing the audience to help them piece it all together. It’s a clever framework for improv, and Jon & Jero skilfully juggled the chaos of audience-directed storylines with hilarious off-hand jokes and action. The ad-libbing was frequently hilarious, for both kids and parents, and their instinct for drawing kids into the storytelling gave the show a warmth and spontaneity that felt genuine and fun.
Of course, audience participation with primary-school-aged kids is a double-edged sword, and one particularly enthusiastic row of upper primary boys made that abundantly clear. As the show invited more interaction, the suggestions coming from that corner devolved into a reliable rotation of the six-seven, poo, and guns. Assuredly an occupational hazard of children’s improv, Jon & Jero handled it expertly, helping calm the chaos and steering the show back on course.
A genuinely fun hour of clowning, improvisation, and imaginative storytelling. Perfect for the primary school set, and surprisingly enjoyable for the grown-ups!
Rating: four stars!
For more information and to book tickets, visit: adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/jon-jero-the-forgotten-tales-af2026
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