Absolutely No Adventures follows a baker name Sig. He lives in a stereotypical fantasy world, and has a fairly impressive pedigree. He’s a seventh son of a seventh son, he’s a minor noble in several kingdoms and principalities, and features into several prophecies. Naturally, he’s quite the hot commodity. Almost everyone has tried to rope him into various quests and adventures. However, as the name of the show says, Sig wants no adventures. He just wants to bake, and will do whatever it takes to avoid going on a quest. The show follows the (un)adventures of Sig and his friends at his bakery, Sig’s Signature Eats. They’re serving up cookies, cakes, pies, bread, and absolutely no adventures.
I first became aware of Absolutely No Adventures thanks to the Audio Drama Infinitum feed over on Twitter. It is run by Julie Hoverson, who also produces the audio drama 19 Nocturne Boulevard. Audio Drama Infinitum is dedicated to helping promote free scripted audio dramas. That means the shows aren’t for sale, but they are available on most major podcast apps or YouTube. It also means it isn’t just an audiobook narration, but something that is acted out and performed.
I saw a tweet promoting Absolutely No Adventures, and was very impressed by the high-quality cover art. The premise also sounded like it would be fun, so I decided to give it a listen, and proceeded to have great time. I’d been wanting to review this one for a while. I’d been waiting til Absolutely No Adventures put out it’s latest episode; a full one hour special, in contrast to the usual runtime of twelve to fifteen minutes. Series creator Destiny Howell wanted to know what people thought of the latest episode. So, I decided to do one better and formally review the entire show.
As I hinted at in the preamble, Absolutely No Adventures takes a more comedic approach to the fantasy genre. It is lighthearted and humorous, and doesn’t take itself too seriously. It is cut from the same cloth as audio dramas like Alba Salix, Royal Physician and The Two Princes. I really love the bouncy Medieval-style music that accompanies the opening of each episode. Absolutely No Adventures also frequently parodies and pokes fun at other works of fantasy such as The Chronicles of Narnia, The Wizard of Oz, and Harry Potter. But it does so, mostly, in a good-natured and affectionate way. Of course, before we discuss all of that, we’re going to need to discuss the characters first.
Sig can be seen as a deconstruction of a typical fantasy protagonist. More specifically, he’s a deconstruction of the reluctant hero archetype. There have been many chosen one, throughout fantasy, who resent their role and wish they hadn’t been chosen. Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Avatar Aang, and Bobby Pendragon are just a few examples of reluctant chosen ones. However, most reluctant chosen ones wind up resigning themselves to their fate. By contrast, Sig takes proactive measures to escape the many prophecies and quests he figures into. Naturally, Sig has become very quick-witted, and is good at weaseling his way out of tough situations.
As I hinted at in the preamble, Absolutely No Adventures takes a more comedic approach to the fantasy genre. It is lighthearted and humorous, and doesn’t take itself too seriously. It is cut from the same cloth as audio dramas like Alba Salix, Royal Physician and The Two Princes. I really love the bouncy Medieval-style music that accompanies the opening of each episode. Absolutely No Adventures also frequently parodies and pokes fun at other works of fantasy such as The Chronicles of Narnia, The Wizard of Oz, and Harry Potter. But it does so, mostly, in a good-natured and affectionate way. Of course, before we discuss all of that, we’re going to need to discuss the characters first.
Sig can be seen as a deconstruction of a typical fantasy protagonist. More specifically, he’s a deconstruction of the reluctant hero archetype. There have been many chosen one, throughout fantasy, who resent their role and wish they hadn’t been chosen. Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Avatar Aang, and Bobby Pendragon are just a few examples of reluctant chosen ones. However, most reluctant chosen ones wind up resigning themselves to their fate. By contrast, Sig takes proactive measures to escape the many prophecies and quests he figures into. Naturally, Sig has become very quick-witted, and is good at weaseling his way out of tough situations.
Sig’s name is short for Sigourney. His mom is from Earth, and she was really into 1980s action movies. All of Sig’s brother have names like Arnold, Sylvester, Jean-Claude, Dolph, Kurt, and Chuck. Sig’s mom was hoping for a daughter she could name after Sigourney Weaver. Instead, she got Sig, but she named him Sigourney anyway. Though, interestingly, Sigourney was originally considered a male name. Also, Sig’s mom was from Europe, but he speak with an American accent. Then again, so does pretty much everyone else in his world. Sig discovered his love of baking at a young age. It is his happy place, and his is quite the talented chef. Sig is voiced by Wes Haas.
Speaking of happiness, let’s talk about Happy. Well, his full name is Happiness Escapes All Who Behold His Great and Terrible Visage. Yeah, demons tend to have elaborate names like that. The queen of the demons sent Happy to bring Sig to the underworld. She was hoping that Sig would help usher in the apocalypse. Instead, Sig wound up taking on Happy as his assistant. Happy has a very deadpan personality, and can be a bit literal-minded at times. A lot from humor comes from how he approaches everything with a comically serious demeanor, and speaks in a deep monotone voice. Think a bit like Drax from Guardians of the Galaxy. Happy is voiced by Karsten Otto.
Rounding out the cast is Bea. She’s from our world, but wound up in Sig’s world thanks to the magic of Wi-Fi connections. No, really. Apparently, Wi-Fi is a form of magic. Sig’s world, being full of magic, has really great Wi-Fi. So, Bea can share all sort of Netflix shows, such as The Great British Bake-Off, with Sig and Happy. Actually, Wi-Fi being a form of magic kind of makes sense. I remember one time my dad and I set up Wi-Fi at my grandpa’s house. I tried my best to explain how it works, but even I had to admit that it does kind of sound like magic. Well, Clarke’s Third Law does say that any sufficiently technology is indistinguishable from magic. Perhaps the reverse holds true as well.
Bea is absolutely ecstatic about being in an actually fantasy world. She’s very energetic, happy-go-lucky, and squees with joy over pretty much everything. She gets to attend Hexwell, a school for aspiring wizards and witches. It is divided into three houses; Trueclaw for the hero kids, Direclaw for the evil kids, and Toad for everyone else. One of Sig’s brother went to Hexwell, and went on many adventures…where he almost got killed in several horrific ways. Sig also questions why the evil students are even thought advanced magic in the first place. In case it wasn’t obvious, Hexwell is a parody of Hogwarts from Harry Potter. Sig does raise some very good points. It might be fun to read about fantasy adventures, such a Harry Potter, but it would probably be pretty terrifying to actual be in a fantasy adventure. Especially true if you aren’t very skilled in magic. Plus, most actually parents would probably horrified at Hogwart’s safety record. Hexwell wanted to recruit Sig, but he was able to convince them to let Bea go in his place. The recruiter for Hexwell is a talking cat, which might possibly have been a Sailor Moon reference. Alternatively, it could have been a reference to how Professor McGonagall has the ability to turn into a cat.
When Bea first met Sig and Happy, she’d been sent on a mission to killed a wicked witch. The supposedly wicked witch is named Petra the Crooked, and the supposedly nice witch is named Adelaide the Serene Sorceress. Wait a minute, a witch named Adelaide who isn’t as nice as she is claimed to be? Is that a reference to Over the Garden Wall that I spy? If so, I totally approve; Over the Garden Wall is an amazing miniseries. Sig pointed out Petra provides many essential services to the region. He also questioned why Bea was so eager to take part in an assassination, give that she’d only just arrived in a world she knows next to nothing about. This is all obviously a nod to The Wizard of Oz, but also a clear reference to the book/musical Wicked. Bea is voiced by Sarah Ruth Thomas. There were a few times she kind of sounded like Caitlin Glass’ portrayal of Winry Rockbell from the English dub of Fullmetal Alchemist (Brotherhood). That made the time Bea describes a spell as an equivalent exchange rather amusing.
On a personal note, I almost auditioned for Absolutely No Adventures. During the one-hour special, Sig and the gang find themselves briefly transported to a Narnia-esque world. They meet a half-man half-rabbit named Timor. No, he’s not some mix of human and rabbit, nor is he one on the top and the other on the bottom. He’s split down the middle; human on one side of his body, and rabbit on the other. I had wanted to audition for the role, but I was afraid my microphone wasn’t up to snuff, so I didn’t bother sending in a submission. However, Andrew Oakes, who was cast as Timor, did an amazing job with the role. He did way better than I probably would have, so good for him. And good for Absolutely No Adventures.
Now, I am perfectly happy with the typical twelve to fifteen minute episode, but I am pleased to see Absolutely No Adventures trying new things. The hour-long special was a lot of work, but it was clearly a labor of love. I also really liked the episode title card. It looked like a title card from a hypothetical animated adaption of Absolutely No Adventures. Everyone involved with the episode clearly gave their all to whatever part they played in the production. I don’t know where Absolutely No Adventures is planning on heading in the future, but it clearly has a bright future ahead of it. I can’t wait to see what else this show has in store for us.
I think that’s a good note to end on. Absolutely No Adventures is a fun fantasy audio drama that parodies the tropes of the fantasy genre. It isn’t devoid of serious moments, but it usually doesn’t take itself too seriously. If you’re looking for something light-hearted and comedic, you can’t go wrong with this show.
Well, I think that’s enough form me for now. I will see you guys next time.
Speaking of happiness, let’s talk about Happy. Well, his full name is Happiness Escapes All Who Behold His Great and Terrible Visage. Yeah, demons tend to have elaborate names like that. The queen of the demons sent Happy to bring Sig to the underworld. She was hoping that Sig would help usher in the apocalypse. Instead, Sig wound up taking on Happy as his assistant. Happy has a very deadpan personality, and can be a bit literal-minded at times. A lot from humor comes from how he approaches everything with a comically serious demeanor, and speaks in a deep monotone voice. Think a bit like Drax from Guardians of the Galaxy. Happy is voiced by Karsten Otto.
Rounding out the cast is Bea. She’s from our world, but wound up in Sig’s world thanks to the magic of Wi-Fi connections. No, really. Apparently, Wi-Fi is a form of magic. Sig’s world, being full of magic, has really great Wi-Fi. So, Bea can share all sort of Netflix shows, such as The Great British Bake-Off, with Sig and Happy. Actually, Wi-Fi being a form of magic kind of makes sense. I remember one time my dad and I set up Wi-Fi at my grandpa’s house. I tried my best to explain how it works, but even I had to admit that it does kind of sound like magic. Well, Clarke’s Third Law does say that any sufficiently technology is indistinguishable from magic. Perhaps the reverse holds true as well.
Bea is absolutely ecstatic about being in an actually fantasy world. She’s very energetic, happy-go-lucky, and squees with joy over pretty much everything. She gets to attend Hexwell, a school for aspiring wizards and witches. It is divided into three houses; Trueclaw for the hero kids, Direclaw for the evil kids, and Toad for everyone else. One of Sig’s brother went to Hexwell, and went on many adventures…where he almost got killed in several horrific ways. Sig also questions why the evil students are even thought advanced magic in the first place. In case it wasn’t obvious, Hexwell is a parody of Hogwarts from Harry Potter. Sig does raise some very good points. It might be fun to read about fantasy adventures, such a Harry Potter, but it would probably be pretty terrifying to actual be in a fantasy adventure. Especially true if you aren’t very skilled in magic. Plus, most actually parents would probably horrified at Hogwart’s safety record. Hexwell wanted to recruit Sig, but he was able to convince them to let Bea go in his place. The recruiter for Hexwell is a talking cat, which might possibly have been a Sailor Moon reference. Alternatively, it could have been a reference to how Professor McGonagall has the ability to turn into a cat.
When Bea first met Sig and Happy, she’d been sent on a mission to killed a wicked witch. The supposedly wicked witch is named Petra the Crooked, and the supposedly nice witch is named Adelaide the Serene Sorceress. Wait a minute, a witch named Adelaide who isn’t as nice as she is claimed to be? Is that a reference to Over the Garden Wall that I spy? If so, I totally approve; Over the Garden Wall is an amazing miniseries. Sig pointed out Petra provides many essential services to the region. He also questioned why Bea was so eager to take part in an assassination, give that she’d only just arrived in a world she knows next to nothing about. This is all obviously a nod to The Wizard of Oz, but also a clear reference to the book/musical Wicked. Bea is voiced by Sarah Ruth Thomas. There were a few times she kind of sounded like Caitlin Glass’ portrayal of Winry Rockbell from the English dub of Fullmetal Alchemist (Brotherhood). That made the time Bea describes a spell as an equivalent exchange rather amusing.
On a personal note, I almost auditioned for Absolutely No Adventures. During the one-hour special, Sig and the gang find themselves briefly transported to a Narnia-esque world. They meet a half-man half-rabbit named Timor. No, he’s not some mix of human and rabbit, nor is he one on the top and the other on the bottom. He’s split down the middle; human on one side of his body, and rabbit on the other. I had wanted to audition for the role, but I was afraid my microphone wasn’t up to snuff, so I didn’t bother sending in a submission. However, Andrew Oakes, who was cast as Timor, did an amazing job with the role. He did way better than I probably would have, so good for him. And good for Absolutely No Adventures.
Now, I am perfectly happy with the typical twelve to fifteen minute episode, but I am pleased to see Absolutely No Adventures trying new things. The hour-long special was a lot of work, but it was clearly a labor of love. I also really liked the episode title card. It looked like a title card from a hypothetical animated adaption of Absolutely No Adventures. Everyone involved with the episode clearly gave their all to whatever part they played in the production. I don’t know where Absolutely No Adventures is planning on heading in the future, but it clearly has a bright future ahead of it. I can’t wait to see what else this show has in store for us.
I think that’s a good note to end on. Absolutely No Adventures is a fun fantasy audio drama that parodies the tropes of the fantasy genre. It isn’t devoid of serious moments, but it usually doesn’t take itself too seriously. If you’re looking for something light-hearted and comedic, you can’t go wrong with this show.
Well, I think that’s enough form me for now. I will see you guys next time.
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