A handsome man introduces himself as Samuel. He is to be our narrator and guide into the adventures of Elizabeth Gulliver; journalist, explorer and occasional impersonator. Samuel’s charm is set against a backdrop of books in cubes – there are several Andy McNab novels and a Jackie Collins – it feels like anything could happen.

Gulliver’s Travels at the Adelaide Fringe

Then, anything and everything does. This stage version of Gulliver’s Travels is based on the Jonathan Swift novel of the same name, but it’s lighter on the satire and heavier on the bizarre. The Familia de la Noche team who adapted and devised the show, have taken the already incongruous story, and flipped it upside down, inside out and added a whole bunch of nuttiness.

Becca Cox is the gutsy protagonist who seems unperturbed by the extreme situations she consistently finds herself in. She charms us with her indomitable spirit and adventurous outlook. Kiell Smith-Bynoe is terrific as our narrator and then a host of fun, funny and peculiar characters, whose varying accents are consistent and convincing. The Lilliput and Dickensian scenes are highlights – here the duo shine –...