Raw, emotional, and inspiring, ‘Fly More Than You Fall’ is now officially open at Southwark Playhouse Elephant. This new musical follows Malia, a teenager about to experience a summer she’ll never forget—at a writers’ summer camp. However, her time is cut short when her mother is diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, prompting her to return home to be with her family. As she tries to continue writing, her story begins to parallel the struggles she and her family face, while the characters around her teach her that she can take control of her own narrative.
Robyn Rose-Li takes us on a journey as 15-year-old Malia, perfectly encapsulating her character with vulnerability and authenticity. We follow her through this life-changing event. After seeing Robyn in an ensemble role in ‘The Baker’s Wife’ at the Menier Chocolate Factory, I was excited to see her in a lead role—and she did not disappoint. She deserved every second of the standing ovation the audience gave her.
I had also been eagerly anticipating seeing the legendary Keala Settle (who doesn’t know her from her iconic role in the musical film ‘The Greatest Showman’?), and she, too, impressed without a doubt. She plays Jennifer, Malia’s mother, who is diagnosed with cancer. Jennifer is clearly a woman with a big heart, and you can’t help but feel the pain she’s going through. Keala portrayed it with such rawness and grounded emotion that it was hard to believe she wasn’t personally experiencing that kind of pain.
Calvin Cornwall, as Paul, Malia’s father, takes us from being the strong male rock of the family to showcasing the beauty of sensitivity. The character’s naivety and strength are a testament to Calvin’s charm and talent in portraying this multifaceted male character, especially in a society where male vulnerability is still often seen as weakness.
Maddison Bulleyment and Edward Chitticks play the two characters Malia is writing about. Without giving too much away, I found myself on the edge of my seat, begging Malia to finish their story and rooting for their happy ending. Every time they entered the stage, the audience couldn’t help but chuckle—but you’ll have to see the show to find out why. It’s a small detail, but we were there for it.
Max Gill was a standout as Caleb, Malia’s light-hearted best friend, who provides comic relief while also going through his own journey of healing from loss. A special shoutout to Max for his portrayal, as I was constantly waiting for Caleb to return to the stage and bring back the pure energy that Max infused into the role.
The ensemble brought vitality and charisma as Malia’s classmates, playing their teenage roles to perfection. They provided the voices that she needed to sift through, helping her decide who to listen to and who to disregard. Like the lesson Caleb teaches her about writing, you need to know which notes to take and which to throw away.
The music and lyrics (by Nat Zegree), along with the vocals, were glorious, clear, and powerful. You could feel the labor of love and emotion in each song as it moved the story forward and complemented Malia’s narrative and the hero’s journey she is writing. The titular song, ‘Fly More Than You Fall’, is so uplifting and full of hope that it’s been on repeat in my head since seeing the show.
I know some people are on the fence about seeing the show because of how sad it could be, but I found the lighter scenes and songs provided a good balance. In fact, there were many moments when I forgot the show was about such a heavy topic. So be prepared to giggle—and get choked up. I highly recommend catching this one if you’re a fan of new musicals and are ready to go on an emotional rollercoaster. It reiterates just how important it is to “love each day you’re given, live each day you’ve got” and not take any day for granted. It made me want to run and give my mum a hug. The show is now open and running until the 23rd of November 2024.
I’m giving this show 4 stars.
Sounds and Stage
