Inspired by a break-up and interviews with 40 other people dealing with some form of loss, Gabi Flares merges these stories into a 60min fever-dream of Jam Jars, live piano playing and singing, emotional outbursts, flooding houses and just about every manner of movement whilst carrying around a ladder.
Though calling it a comedy show might be a bit of a stretch, there were certainly funny moments, along with every other emotion as well. Flares doesn’t just explore heartbreak and grief theoretically, she fully embodies it. The messiness, the flip-flopping from being angry to exhausted to overjoyed and sad again, and generally just spilling over with emotions that have nowhere to go anymore. The constant dripping that slowly floods her world being a reminder of what she’s lost and how those memories are leaking into every part of her life, no matter how tightly she tries to seal the holes in her house and her heart.
Deluge will make you think. Not just about the show, but about your own way of processing and healing. It asks questions like: What does an ending sound like to you? How does it feel? Can we really avoid loss? And are we going to carry around our own metaphorical ladders forever? These moments of earnestness between the big emotions, crazy physical stunts and theatrical risks are what really tie the show together.
Flares is a captivating performer. It would be difficult to take your eyes off her even if you wanted to, her stage presence draws you into this absurd, sticky and somehow magical world she created. It might not be a show for everyone, but if you’re up for being challenged and want to see something completely different to the typical one-person Fringe shows, Deluge will not disappoint.
Deluge runs until the 30th of August at Underbelly Cowgate with tickets available at https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/deluge
Reviewer: Christina Schmidt
Reviewed: 23rd August 2026
North West End UK / Theatre Muse UK Rating: