Flyby Musical Review: A Space Odyssey That Struggles to Achieve Lift-Off
In a timely coincidence with the recent Artemis II news, Theo Jamieson and Adam Lenson's new musical Flyby premieres at Southwark Playhouse Borough in Elephant & Castle, running from April 10 to May 16, 2026. This eccentric production tells the story of an astronaut drifting far from home, but despite its ambitious premise, it proves too scrappy to fully take flight.
A Narrative Adrift in Space
The musical opens with a slightly misplaced jump scare, briefly suggesting a horror element before settling into its core drama. Three narrators, played by Gina Beck, Rupert Young, and Simbi Akande, set the scene for Adam Lenson's direction, though their intermittent contributions often feel unnecessary. The protagonist, Daniel DeFoe (Stuart Thompson), named as a nod to the fictional castaway Robinson Crusoe, steals a spacecraft called The Ostrich and embarks on a one-way mission to nowhere. The mystery of his motives unfolds through flashbacks, data logs, and the narrators' commentary.
In the past, Daniel falls for documentary filmmaker Emily Baker, portrayed by Poppy Gilbert, known for her role in The Other Bennett Sister. Emily is a character of fierce, sometimes supercilious intellect, grappling with the legacy of her celebrated, philandering filmmaker father. Their relationship progresses through familiar milestones—first trips, hikes, and moving in together—staged across Libby Todd's minimal living room set with swift costume changes by Eleanor Bull. Gilbert delivers a magnetic performance, convincingly portraying both teenage flashbacks and the heartbreak of a fractured relationship.
Weak Songs and Uneven Performances
In contrast, Stuart Thompson's portrayal of Daniel remains more opaque. His character's kneejerk volatility and underdeveloped cruelty, stemming from half-articulated repression, lack the gravitational pull needed to anchor the story. The songs, unfortunately, are the weakest aspect of this musical, which is a significant flaw for the genre. While one or two numbers land, particularly a solo from Gilbert, audiences are unlikely to leave humming any tunes. However, Theo Jamieson's compositional skill shines through in the atmospheric support from a partially concealed live band, retro-cosmic projections, and Ben Jacobs' lighting.
Moments of Emotion Amidst Missteps
The production stumbles notably when Daniel has an apparent epiphany triggered by an animatronic turtle—actually a slow-moving person in a turtle suit—which feels out of place and disrupts the narrative flow. Despite this, Flyby manages to evoke genuine tear-jerking emotions at times, keeping it aloft with moments of heartfelt drama. Yet, for those seeking propulsive space drama, this musical falls short of being as memorable as works like Project Hail Mary.
Practical Details and Final Thoughts
Flyby is performed at Southwark Playhouse Borough, located at 77-85 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BD, with easy access via the Elephant & Castle Tube station. Tickets are priced at £28, with concessions available at £22.50, and the show runs for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Performances are scheduled on various dates, including evenings and matinees, from April 10 onwards.
Overall, while Flyby offers intriguing themes and strong performances from its lead actress, its weak musical numbers and uneven storytelling prevent it from reaching the heights it aspires to. It's a production that might appeal to fans of experimental theatre but may leave others feeling adrift.
