Fly More Than You Fall – Review

Fly More Than You Fall: Southwark Playhouse Elephant, London

22nd October 2024 (final preview performance)

★★★

Fly More Than You Fall is the new musical based on lived experiences the uplifting and inspiring show navigates grief with some incredible songs that are bound to get stuck in your head! This is more than just a musical, it’s a journey that will break your heart and mend it all in one night. The story focuses on Malia whose life is thrown into turmoil after her mother’s terminal cancer diagnosis. She finds solace and strength in her writing and in her stories, creating an imaginative world where a brave bird named Willow mirrors her own journey of resilience and growth. Malia learns to face her fears and embrace hope, discovering that even in the darkest times, we can find the courage to soar.

Star of Broadway, West End and The Greatest Showman, Tony-nominated Keala Settle leads the cast of this new musical and does so beautifully. She is known for her powerful voice but in this production she shows a softer, gentler side and brings real emotion to the role. Robyn Rose-Li is excellent as Malia. Vocally, she is able to really act through song and her voice has a beautiful, effortless quality to it. Another mention should go to Cavin Cornwall, who plays the grieving father so well and to Max Gill as Malia’s supportive friend Caleb.

The production is fairly basic in terms of set and costumes (Stewart J. Charlesworth) which unfortunately leave a lot to be desired. The simple set has a backdrop of coloured post-it notes and uses wooden blocks as various set pieces. Whilst the stage is small, it also has three levels which are utilised well throughout the performance. The pastel theme runs into the costumes for the ensemble cast. The costumes for Willow and Flynn are almost superhero/manga inspired but are lacking. Luckily the performances from the lead cast members make up for a somewhat cheap exterior.

The story itself could be fantastic. At times it is full of heart and emotion but there are also some scenes which seem shoe-horned in for no real reason. The cast is particularly large and could definitely be smaller – focusing more on Malia’s family and close friends rather than a slightly irritating group of teenagers who seem to have filler scenes and are used in the fairly clunky transitions.

There is a lot to like about Fly More Than You Fall. The emotion onstage is honest and bare, many audience members will resonate with the plot and for them it will be even more of an emotional journey. The overall message and sentiment is lovely, it just feels like some of the scenes could be cut and the show may have more impact. The Southwark Playhouse is an ideal venue for this production and will allow the show to reflect and develop even further. The talent onstage is superb and with an emotional, honest story it has the making of a good musical, it just needs a little more work yet.

Fly More Than You Fall is playing at Southwark Playhouse Elephant until the 23rd November 2024. For more information and tickets click here.

Photo credit: Craig Fuller