Imagine boarding a plane, settling into your seat, and then being plunged into complete darkness. This is the premise of DARKFIELD’s “FLIGHT,” an immersive theatre experience that takes place inside a 40ft shipping container designed to resemble the interior of an Airbus 320 economy cabin. Over the course of 30 minutes, “FLIGHT” explores the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics, presenting two possible outcomes of a single journey.
As I stepped into the container, the attention to detail was immediately apparent. The interior was meticulously crafted to mimic an actual airplane cabin, complete with authentic boarding passes and safety cards. The atmosphere was set from the moment I took my seat, with the familiar sounds of an airplane preparing for takeoff filling the space.Once the doors closed and the lights went out, I was enveloped in pitch darkness. The use of binaural audio created a 360-degree soundscape that was both immersive and unsettling. I could hear every creak of the plane, every murmur of the passengers, and every announcement from the flight crew as if I were truly on board.
The narrative unfolded through a series of audio cues and sound effects, guiding me through two parallel realities. In one world, the flight proceeded smoothly, while in the other, it encountered a series of increasingly disturbing events. The transitions between these worlds were seamless, leaving me questioning which reality I was currently experiencing.
Several aspects of “FLIGHT” stood out to me. The experience was deeply immersive and thought-provoking. It felt like a truly singular and provocative piece of art; one that left me shaken but ultimately enriched by the experience. The production’s ability to evoke a sense of unease was remarkable. The sound and production design were both excellent – in addition to the authentic interior, boarding passes and Kafkaesque safety cards were distributed, all of which enhanced the creeping unease.
The experience transported me into a different reality. It was an all-consuming experience that took me away from the busy streets of Edinburgh and into a different reality. The existential themes explored in the performance were profound. “FLIGHT” harnessed the very uncertainty of pretending, creating an experience that was properly exhilarating. It was a perfectly programmed high-art theme park ride, a reminder of one’s closeness at all times to death that spat me out into the sunlight feeling palpably, certainly, alive.
“FLIGHT” by DARKFIELD is an extraordinary piece of immersive theatre that challenges your perceptions and leaves a lasting impression. Its masterful use of sound and darkness creates a unique and unsettling experience that is both thrilling and thought-provoking. Whether you are a fan of immersive theatre or simply looking for a unique experience, “FLIGHT” is a journey worth taking.
