Review: LONE FLYER - THE LAST FLIGHT OF AMY JOHNSON, Watermill Theatre

Lone Flyer tells the story of Amy Johnson, the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia in May 1930. We join Amy in the cockpit of her plane in January 1941, shortly before the aviation accident that is believed to have led to her death. Through a series of flashbacks, we learn about her record breaking flight and some of the family, friends and colleagues that helped her along the way.

This show originally opened to audiences in 2020, but was forced to close in November due to Covid regulations. This year, it played at Jermyn Street Theatre in London and is now enjoying a short residency at The Watermill, before moving on to Hull Truck Theatre - in what was Amy Johnson’s home town.

The intimate space at The Watermill is ideal for the show, and the two-hander has the audience engrossed immediately. Both performers are very impressive. Louise Willoughby plays Amy Johnson and is supported by Benedict Salter, playing a series of male roles. Salter moves effortlessly from one role into another - concerned father, comical friend, stand-offish lover and upper-class solicitor; all of whom have their own clear personalities and traits, and the simple use of props and costume make it easy for us to identify which character is gracing the stage. Willoughby does an admirable job of telling Amy’s story, although at times is a little over directed. She is warm and likeable and together, she and Salter make a dynamic couple whom the audience cannot fail to engage with.

The production values of the piece are excellent, and it is not surprising to learn that Lone Flyer achieved five Off West End Nominations for Best Production, Sound Design, Director, Leading Performance and Supporting Performance. The set and props, costume, lighting and sound work together beautifully to pull us in to the world of Amy Johnson and aid in what is, at times, a confusing timeline of events.

Whilst beautifully portrayed, unfortunately the writing does let this show down a little. The chronology isn’t always explained well and is confusing on occasion. Although it is Amy’s story we are following - and an interesting story it is - by the time the show ends, the audience seem to have very little empathy for her, and this comes from this disjointed nature of the storytelling. What should be a very poignant ending to the show, alluding to Johnson’s fate, falls a little flat despite Willoughby’s heartfelt delivery of the final monologue.

That being said, the piece is certainly an interesting biopic, bringing to light an intriguing female figure in British History, and the talented cast and delightful visual elements of the show make it an enjoyable and informative evening of theatre.

*** Three stars

Review by: Sarah Brown

Lone Flyer runs at The Watermill until Saturday 25 September before moving to Hull Truck Theatre.