REVIEW: Up, Visible Fictions, EdFringe 2025 ★★★★★

In a remarkable act of fate, the luckiest person in the world, Jay, is sat next to the unluckiest person in the world, Jayme, on a flight that is plummeting towards the ground. After sharing the big and small life events that brought them here, their perspectives are turned around in a way neither of them could have anticipated.

In brief classroom-esque interludes, we learn about the science of flight, the Unity of Opposites, and how you’re far more likely to fall in love on a flight, than be in a plane crash. Told in an object-theatre style, Visible Fictions really use everything but the kitchen sink during this delightful tale. 

There appears no end to the number of props that they reveal from underneath the tabletops that make up their sleek set. For the life of me, I could not work out how they did it. It really was some Mary Poppins magic, and is so reminiscent of the work of Emma Rice’s company, Wise Children. 

Magic is the resounding adjective I would use for Up. It has an undeniable whimsy, perhaps because Visible Fictions produce work primarily for younger audiences, but this is a show that everyone, of all ages, should be required to see. It exudes creative energy. 

Structurally, the script is perfect. We spend just the right amount of time with every moment, lingering when we need more and transitioning at exactly the right time. As we flit between malfunctioning flight, and the characters’ memories, the audience are never left behind, but rather carried tenderly through the story. 

Combined with purposeful lighting and sound, our performers do a stellar job. Zoë Hunter and Michael Dylan handle every prop change (there are numerous) with grace, and win us over with their joyful stage presence the minute they enter the stage. 

Visible Fictions give us an hour of PLAY! They encourage us not to overthink things, to laugh at life’s big mishaps, to take every chance that the world throws at us. Everyone in the company should be immensely proud of this absolute gem of a show. 

Recommended Drink: Cup of tea from a flask on a clifftop (don’t look down!).

You can catch Up at Braeburn at Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower from Aug 18, 20-24 at 17:40. Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.