If you head to the Twelfth Night Theatre this month, you won’t just see a man in a red spandex suit cracking wise. You’ll see the culmination of a five-year entrepreneurial odyssey led by Samwise Holmes—the creator, director, and lead performer of MARVELous: The Show.
I sat down with Samwise to discuss how a single parody song about “America’s Ass” evolved into a national touring sensation that is part circus, part cabaret, and entirely “no holds barred”.
From Busking to Backflips
Samwise’s journey to the stage wasn’t a straight line. He started as a busker doing piano and vocals before diving headfirst into musical theatre training at Sydney’s Brent Street at age 18. By 19, he was already musical directing productions of Grease.
However, it was a teenage hobby of flipping around parks with his stepbrother that planted the seed for his business, Action Reaction Entertainment. What started as jumping off single-storey rooftops for kids’ superhero parties in 2014 transitioned into a sophisticated stunt and theatre production company.
“It’s meant to be ballsy… the DNA of the show is just to be no holds barred and a little bit shocking or outrageous.” — Samwise Holmes
A Purpose-Driven Pivot
One of the most compelling chapters of Samwise’s career is Action Education, specifically the Backflips Against Bullying program. Having been a victim of bullying himself, Samwise created an evidence-based show that uses high-level acrobatics to engage students with practical social skills.
“It was realising the potential of acrobatics to engage students by using something that they’re fascinated with,” he explains. The success of this program—which now has multiple teams touring schools nationally—effectively funded the “expensive endeavour” of launching MARVELous into major theatres.
The Show: Subverting the MCU
MARVELous isn’t a traditional play; it’s a series of vignettes that place iconic heroes in ridiculous situations. Think Tony Stark meeting Magic Mike in a “Pony Tony” workshop routine, or Doctor Strange as a “supremely shithouse” stage magician whose illusions go gorily wrong.
While the show is packed with “Easter eggs” for hardcore Marvel fans, Samwise insists it’s built for everyone, weaving in references to Dirty Dancing, Flashdance, and The Greatest Showman.
As Deadpool, Samwise acts as a narrator, but roughly half of his performance is pure, unscripted audience interaction. “That’s what makes it exciting every show—it is never the same as the show before,” he says.
Taking on the World
The “gutsy” nature of being an independent production means Samwise can push boundaries that Disney never could. He even teased a concept for an upcoming US tour involving Deadpool and a certain public-domain mouse in a copyright infringement court case.
With negotiations underway for shows in Las Vegas, the Brisbane season at the Twelfth Night Theatre is a chance for locals to see the show that has already captivated audiences in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth.
Catch the Show in Brisbane
MARVELous: The Show is a strictly limited season and is not affiliated with Disney or Marvel Entertainment.
- Dates: Wednesday 18 March – Sunday 29 March, 2026.
- Times: Wednesday to Sunday at 7:30 PM; Saturday matinee at 2:30 PM.
- Venue: Twelfth Night Theatre, 4 Cintra Rd, Bowen Hills.
- Tickets: From $79 at marveloustheshow.com.au.
