As the family begin to gather the hospital bed to say their final goodbye’s tension and regrets begin to surface.

It’s the one day of the year that “flying Ants” are born, live and die all within twenty-four hours. The family aren’t prepared to deal with all the Ants while they are dealing with themselves and the estranged family dynamics.

Everybody has that one member of the family who distances themselves from the rest. In this play, it is all of them distancing themselves from each other and their Mother.

Each of the three siblings has their own hurdles and problems. With each of them leading different lives the only common ground they shared was their parents. It makes for some entertaining conflicts and conversations taking place on and around their Mother’s deathbed.

There are some well-timed comedy one-liners throughout the play. Especially from Kit who’s only there to support her “friend” and try to film the moment of death! Rather macabre although the comedy delivery was very good and her argument for doing it was plausible. Definitely a don’t try this at home or hospital moment.

The claustrophobic scene when the swarm of Ants are at their peak is well done. You can sense and feel the irritation the flying Ants are causing the entire family as they move around almost involuntarily trying to hit the Ants away.

There are a few loose ends that remain unanswered at the end of the play which need to be fulfilled as they are part of the main narrative. When you have invested time in certain characters these questions should be answered.

It’s very much a student piece of theatre in its current format. Trying out different ideas and performance styles throughout the play. It’s funny and entertaining. However,  if the play is to be developed and taken further then editing down to around sixty minutes and tightening up loose ends need to be considered. This play has the foundations to be developed though.

For more information about Flying Ant Day please use the link below.

Three Stars.

https://lambethfringe.com/events/flying-ant-day

Cast & Creatives

By Strange Kin Theatre

Writer: Joey Ellis

Director: Gráinne Byrne

Leading cast & crew: 

Kenneth Butler,

Meadow Capon,

Ruth Douglas,

Alex Gannon,

Daniel Hintner,

Gayané Kaligian,

Reagan Madilyn Martin,

Clare Nolan,

Paula Pirvu,

Elisabeth Tu,

Will Usherwood-Bliss,

Yeo Dana. 

Date & Time: Friday 3rd October @7:30pm