Taking A Leap Of Faith - Mayflies

Michael Slavin, Interim Chief Executive, York Theatre Royal, explained in the theatre programme that in creating this new musical they all “took a leap of faith, trusted the brilliance of those involved, and decided to innovate, and make something truly new”.

Well, that leap of faith has paid off, with Mayflies, written and composed by Gus Gowland emerging as a most extraordinary piece of work, “modern, tender, honest and full of brilliant songs”. Those songs move the story along magnificently, as well as each song being memorable in its own right (particularly the emotive, Running On Empty).

Depending on which night you attend, you can see a variety of pairings, with Nuno Queimado playing May, Rumi Sutton also playing May on occasions, as well as Fly, and Emma Thornett playing Fly. May is looking for love. Fly is just looking. These changing line ups offer different perspectives on the story, and alter the dynamics at play, showing the deeper truths at the heart of the story.

A most innovative idea to use a rotational cast of such experienced actors who clearly demonstrated their acting and musical talents. Hearing Running on Empty, sung by Nuno as May, then Rumi as May, at my second viewing was heart-wrenching, raw, real, and utterly compelling. An earworm of a tune too.

Sensitively directed by Tania Azevedo, we joined May and Fly on their journey, feeling like a fly on the wall as we watched their relationship develop from their first online “ hello “ to the dying moments of their relationship after finally meeting up“ in the flesh “, reflecting the last stage of a mayfly’s life (Spinner ) when they mate , and shed their skin, and die.

The setting for this meeting was an average hotel room, with levels of staging above, around and below the room. This minimalist, well-considered design by TK Hay, along with simple props, was used to great effect by these experienced actors. Through stunning Light (David Howe) and Sound Design (Chris Whybrow) there was a beautiful sense of joy and connection in flowing movements leading to a series of flashbacks and flashforwards. Just loved the use of many hanging lamps going on and off, and up and down throughout the play, reminiscent of mayflies, as the characters interacted.

Some great laugh out loud moments in this production, involving pizza and jigsaws, with brilliant use of comic timing, facial expression and perfect pauses, as well as poignancy as we saw May and Fly’s journey unfold before our eyes.

It was good to see so many young people in the audience, engrossed and engaged in this story for our times; our future theatre audiences hopefully.
Sad though the inevitable ending was, a quote from Tennyson came into my mind, echoing what had been said in the last moments of the dying relationship : ‘Tis better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all…'.