Writer: Eve Leigh
Director: Laura Keefe
This is a hijack with a difference and what is the motive? Perhaps there is a hint in the title of the play, Wildfire Road. Eve Leigh’s one act play is innovative and captivating, dealing in part with current day air travel.
BA flight Number 509 sets off on a journey to Tokyo, with the usual and all so familiar safety routine, so much so that the four passengers make light of it by performing a dance routine in the gangway. But a hijacker appears. The swivel seats enable the passengers to turn to each other and the audience to share their conversations and thoughts about what is happening and what they remember.
There is plenty of humour along the way, which is important in bringing light relief to what could be a very dark experience. The plane bounces and judders seeking somewhere to land safely. Do they make it? Will they survive? Will the experience change them? Does the hijacker want to destroy them or save them? This hijacker is not all they seem. As wild fires ravage the planet, why have they come and from where?
The flight attendant, pilot and co-pilot let us know what they are thinking. They are professionals and feel responsible for the safety of their passengers.
This is very physical theatre, demanding a lot of the six actors. They are all convincing in their different roles at times transforming into the hijacker. One of the passengers Dave (Mark Welnman) raises many laughs in his dialogue and manner towards a fellow passenger Mariella (Phoebe Naughton). With the strobe and flashing lighting, smoke, sudden loud sound effects, a believable crash landing is created on stage. Not surprisingly, there is some strong language as the passengers try to cope with the situation.
Director Laura Keefe has made full use of the intimate Playhouse setting with a strong production team. This is a stirring world premiere, thought provoking and a thoroughly good performance.
Runs until 18 March 2023.
