FLYBY

The creative team behind Flyby is a strong, well-oiled unit that really underpins the show’s ambition. At the helm is Theo Jamieson, whose work as writer and composer brings a rich, cinematic and almost symphonic quality to the score, elevating the piece far beyond your typical fringe sound. Alongside him, Adam Lenson directs and co-creates with a clear, grounded vision, balancing the show’s intergalactic concept with naturalistic, emotionally truthful performances. Visually, Libby Todd keeps things minimal yet effective with a clean design that transforms seamlessly, while Ben Jacobs enhances the atmosphere through sharp, considered lighting choices that shift the emotional landscape. Kelsh Buckman-Drage ensures the piece maintains its immersive, cinematic feel, supported by Eleanor Bull’s grounded and character-driven wardrobe. Musically, Ben Kubiak brings the intricate score to life with precision and cohesion, while Adriana Perucca keeps everything running slickly behind the scenes which is no small feat in a continuous, interval-free piece that quite literally never stops moving.

Though the show runs at 1 hour 45 minutes with no interval, it genuinely feels like a flyby… over before you quite realise you’ve left the ground. Previous iterations of the piece have been developed through workshops and smaller showcases, but this staging feels like a fully realised evolution, with a scale and ambition that pushes beyond typical fringe expectations.

The cast is small but mighty, with two central performers carrying the emotional core of the show, supported by three narrators who weave in and out of the storytelling with clarity and intention. The performances lean into a grounded naturalism, refreshingly real, believable, and deeply relatable. There’s a noticeable commitment to truth in the acting, which makes the more abstract, intergalactic elements feel rooted and accessible. Backed by a talented six-piece band, the sound is rich and expansive. Jamieson’s background in cinematic and symphonic composition is unmistakable, giving the show a lush, almost filmic quality that elevates it far beyond its fringe setting.

Visually, the set is minimal but incredibly effective: LED strip lighting frames the stage with a clean, modern edge, while a simple brown sofa anchors the action. With a few subtle shifts, the space transforms into the spacecraft ‘The Ostrich’ with a transition that’s slick, imaginative, and doesn’t overcomplicate itself. It’s proof that you don’t need bells and whistles when the concept is this clear.