Fledgling review

08.03.22

When you enter Fledgling’s world, you are greeted by haze and some quiet bird song. There is a definite sense of something beginning, and the ropes hanging at the edge of the playing space makes the audience wonder what it will be. But as the text will tell us, a moment is not a moment on its own – you have to understand the context.

And understand the context we will, as the text seamlessly shifts between times and moments in the life of a small family, as we watch people love but maybe not understand, and we find ourselves oddly compelled by and worried about the lives of birds unseen. As the title indicates, the text is a story of birds and people, and writer/director Lily Hayman consistently surprises as she one-ups whichever previous bird she had brought to life on her stage. It’s a joy to watch the birds emerge before you, and I won’t spoil the magic, but I will remind you of the ropes at the edge of the stage.

An adaptation of Joshua Lobb’s novel The Flight of Birds, the text leans heavily into its prose origins, with each of the performers melding into a narrator figure at different points, directly addressing the audience as they move the plot along. A particular joy to watch in this regard was Michael Ho, who slipped in and out of childhood friend, father-in-law, and narrator with remarkable ease. Other notable moments from the cast included the tender moments between Jessica Melchert and Claire Filmour as mother and daughter – especially the elements of play between them as the central action happened elsewhere – and the sections of group choreography which echoed the flocking of birds.

A strong soundscape and innovative lighting design by Sammy Read held this time jumping show together, managed deftly by the production designer Tyler Fitzpatrick. If you need a reminder of the power of language, and its capability to conjure beautiful images, accompanied by some lovely stage magic, I would go and see Fledgling. And then, when you’re done, maybe go find some birds to watch.

Rebekah, 21 (she/her)

Purple Tape Productions and Panimo’s Fledgling plays at Kings Cross Theatre until 12 March. Book your tickets here.