Deluge theatre review: Clowning through grief
Gabi Flares uses chaotic physical comedy to explore grief after a break-up, but the emotions become muddled and incoherent
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Gabi Flares is a clearly talented clown, who brings music, physical comedy, a winning presence and chaotic energy to this exploration of grief. Deluge charts a break-up that is marked by the consumption of jam, a house that comes to symbolise the relationship and flashbacks to times happy, hilarious and poignant. The show struggles to contain all of Flares’ skills. Her early bouts of audience interaction are predictable, but she quickly shapes a winning clown persona, both sensitive and naïve. Her use of a step ladder to represent the grief that she carries is theatrically striking and encourages some comic business.
With so many talents, however, the tone turns uneven as different routines showcase various abilities and the final sequences dissolve into an incoherent mess; the kind of delirium that may cap her emotional journey but does not clarify the narrative. It becomes exhausting to follow Flares and while she is a capable and enchanting performer, the structure leaves the show feeling overlong. Yet her points about the grief of parting are poignant. She copes well with an onstage accident and isn’t afraid to abandon comedy to make a serious and heartfelt point, before bringing back the now uneasy laughter.
Deluge, Underbelly Cowgate, until 30 August, 3.30pm; picture: Alex Brenner.