REVIEW: FLIGHT, Darkfield, EdFringe 2026 ★★★★

Having witnessed all of Darkfield’s highly interactive, sensory experiences I felt that I had to complete it by taking a flight with Darkfield. And what an intriguing flight it was. I’d say more transportational than any of the flights that I usually take.

Snuggled in a container surrounded by a cohort of fellow audience members, you are placed in an aeroplane-fashioned environment. You are even allocated a seat in this aircraft and in Darkfield style, everything is very plainly delivered and very abrupt until the audio starts. Not only will every audience member leave fearful of cabin crews in planes, but also of the act of flying. This is a terrifying experience and not for the faint hearted. The team make you question your value, and your position stuffed in an aeroplane looking over the world, and with this (a little meta-theatrically) makes you question why you are bunked in a container with Darkfield. But as the performance continues, you crash straight back down to earth and land feet-first. This is highly stimulating, and David Rosenberg (artistic director of the company) places his audience in the realm of vulnerability and self-criticism.

Indeed, like many of Darkfield’s performances some elements do feel a little bit out of place, thanks to the lack of clear narrative. A flight attendant speaking on a screen over your head at the start of the experience is a flashback to some children’s horror film and is quite humorous to watch. Equally, the ending does come a little abruptly and shocks for the wrong reasons. The audience never quite know when to disembark, when to take off their headphones and when to leave the space, although this almost adds to the mystery of it all. You are on a conveyor belt and have travelled, to be then inserted back into George Square, Edinburgh.

The attention to detail is transformative in this iteration of Darkfield’s container ship fantasy. Upon entry you are handed a ticket, which is not only a nice memory of the production for when you leave the space, but also creates a sense of security and weird estrangement when you enter the space. Equally, the seatbelts, the safety sheet and briefing, makes everything seem perfectly uncanny, which is exactly what is needed in this alternative experience. They know how to transport audiences while remaining on chartered territory.

Certainly, this feels the most game-like and the most ‘do it for the thrill seekers’ of all of Darkfield’s productions. Sat in this plane, your seat will very literally tremble, you will be moved to absolute fear. This is a multi-sensory, assaulting experience and one that will leave you horrified. Lights in the windows of the plane will illuminate in flashes. Shouting will fill your ears, and you are left trying to work out what on earth is going on.

It is all otherworldly, and Darkfield does what Darkfield do best.

Recommended Drink: Vodka Red Bull

Performances of FLIGHT have now concluded at EdFringe 2026.