Flit - Melbourne Fringe Festival (VIC)
Written by Ruby and Eva Rees
Reviewed by Carla Di Maggio
Theatre Works
Season 10-14 October 2023
4.5 STARS
- Flit creates a colourful, magical world, that nurtures our inner child -
In this gorgeous play, Ruby and Eva Rees uncover Neverland before our very eyes. Flit plays with our inner child, urging it to come out for one more story or game of pretend. This new work begins in a cluttered London apartment where a lost boy has broken in. Upon returning home to her apartment, the girl defends herself with a frying pan and restrains said boy. But after the boy describes the world of Neverland as his home, the girl must decide whether she can trust Flit and journey on an adventure where they can safely share stories.
Madeline Magee-Car’s performance as Flit was absolutely astounding. Their act begins before even entering the performance space, offering lingering audience members twigs as “promises”. I found this personal connection so full of magic, as it served as a sweet little moment to make the titular character familiar. You are connected to the story even before it begins. Furthermore, Magee-Car’s presence in the space was mesmerising as their portrayal of Flit is so charming it feels like we have met an old friend from our childhood. It is as if Flit walked straight out of JM Barry’s Peter Pan.
Photo by Darren Gill
Magee-Car’s acting paired alongside Kaiya Jones is an absolute delight. Jones’ entrance is jarring against our familiar Flit, making the story much more interesting. Someone who doesn’t belong in a story synonymous with our childhoods takes over the space suddenly, and what a brilliant job Jones does in this takeover. Without giving too much away (because the differences between characters are surprising yet gorgeous) Jones introduces us to a girl with sharp, hardened edges and a deep capacity for love and compassion. Sure, it is hidden beneath the mess, but once it is uncovered, oh, what a delight!
The set, something that productions put on by Theatre Works always seem to excel in, is so charming. Flit leads us into The Girl’s world, seating us in a grungy apartment in London, so different already to the world of Flit’s promises.
The lighting, designed by Oliver Ross, reinforced the magic within the show, translating love and liveliness into pink tones and colouring harsher scenes in blue. The wash seems simple, yet amongst the mess of the apartment, the audience is further drawn into the relationship between the two characters.
All of these elements work harmoniously to elevate the star of the show: the story. Ruby and Eva Rees have created a world coloured by darkness and warmth. You believe in Peter Pan’s world, not just as the story our parents read us but as a far distant memory, itching to breathe again. Flit encourages our inner child to chat with us; what stories would they want to hear?
Honestly, thank heavens my mascara motivated me to stop the tears from flowing, for many would have been spilt on opening night.
My only gripe is the sound design. It did hand us some magic with a harsh grungy sound, though it was given to the audience as just a taste, and I am hungry for a meal. I do believe there is room for the sound to help the story gain magic, though I did not find it, unfortunately.
So, if you have 70 minutes you can dedicate to dreaming, let Flit promise you the escape of Neverland.
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