One of the more controversial Fringe shows, it’s a simple premise but one that you wont be prepared at how it will make you feel.
The show has taken real flight box recordings, acted them out in a mock set up of a flight desk which the audience face. A brief description of the crash displays on a screen behind the cockpit (a program is available with more detail), the action starts, the audience were hypnotized.
All of the scenes are well acted with no stand out performances. The play forces you to listen intently to what is being said, you concentrate, and are then drawn even further into the unfolding drama. There is friendly banter between the crew, initial shock and then reaction to the situation.
The final black box seems the longest, one engine out of action. The subsequent scene, chaos, get out the manual, the tension between pilot and co pilot, almost arguing what to do, air traffic control ,a passenger helping out, do they land safely?
Stunned silence continues between each scene and despite clear ending to each, the shock and enormity of the scene just acted, we are all catching our breath. Only at the end do we break the silence and applaud.
Quite simply brilliant, the only criticism, is perhaps, one story too many becomes a little repetitive, taking away from some of the drama.
Highly recommended, not for the faint hearted, or those about to take a flight home, the audience left wondering should they have enjoyed the production, all of the crashes had fatalities, some more than others, but entertainment that ends with a loud bang and a plane crashing? Amazing.
Stunned silence, nerve racking, mesmerizing and as exhilarating as it is horrifying.
5/5 
Michael Bulman
