Jeromaia Detto’s: Giuseppe’s Love Quest - Fringe World 2026

Reviewed by Rachel Doulton

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To say I was excited to see Jeromaia Detto’s: Giuseppe’s Love Quest is an understatement. Even better is that this show was my opener for the Fringe World festival in 2026.

Last year I was lucky enough to see a glimpse of his character Giuseppe in Detto’s show Mush for Fringe World’s 2025 season so I’m stoked to see him fleshed out this year. I was blown away by his adept skills as an artist that I couldn’t wait to see what Detto came up with next. Internationally trained at probably one of the most renowned clown school’s, Ecole Phillipe Gaulier, Detto is a master at making joy. His magnetic nature pulls you in from the start and you feel held safely in his hands as he drives you through 60 minutes of jouissance.

Detto brings us Giuseppe, a humble Italian beach boy, wandering the world in search of an answer to the age old question: What is love?

Even though he’s the one on stage, you as the audience are just as integral to help him find the answer. Don’t let the thought of being called upon put you off though, Detto has a charisma that makes you want to be part of his quest. He is a mirror of what the audience gives him and you are made to truly think of how you would even describe something as seemingly simple as a hug to someone who has never seen or experienced an act of love.

It's no revelation to say that Perth audiences are reserved, especially at a 6:20pm time slot before the evening’s libations have loosened inhibitions, but even the most withdrawn audience member is falling in love alongside Giuseppe. The thought of being called upon can be downright terrifying for some, but you can’t help sympathising with Giuseppe’s hopeless romanticism that you want him to know.

Detto is quick off the mark and is incredible at staying present throughout the show. No matter what the audience throws at him, he flawlessly takes it and runs with it. His joy is infectious and we leave feeling lighter having been injected with his joie de vivre. We need the joy and the silliness more than ever and I’m glad Jeromaia Detto is the one to guide us.

Be sure to catch feelings and add Jeromaia Detto’s: Giuseppe’s Love Quest held at Hat Trick in the Pleasure Gardens to your Fringe opening weekend binge, you can’t not fall in love with Detto's charming exuberance.

Note: Tickets for this review were provided by the theatre company.