Float – Gilded Balloon Patter House, Other Yin

Intelligently immersive and creative from the opening, Float landed into Gilded Balloon’s Patter House but there is certainly nothing alien about this production – it is unbelievably human and full of heart. Co-directed by Cora Bissett and Niloo-Far Khan, created and performed by Indra Wilson, Float explores pregnancy loss and its lasting effect through the metaphor of space travel. With delightful use of props, set, colour and sound, Float is sure to have audiences laughing at one moment and crying the next.

In this autobiographical play, Indra Wilson, who plays a version of themself, dreams of becoming an astronaut. When their dream comes true, their life skyrockets to infinity and beyond. Wilson’s entire stage presence is electrifying, carrying the entire show themself is no mean feat but they rise to the challenge – which is especially commendable when telling the audience their own story. Their text is truly out of this world, and it is obvious a lot of time has been spent working alongside the directors to put Float together. The script is carefully packed full of metaphors, allowing the audience to decipher the real meaning of the story, massively increasing engagement.

Not only this but Wilson actively involves the audience throughout with the use of confetti cannons, high fives and allowing audience members to interact with them and the props in the production. Such clever immersion allows spectators to become spect-actors. Wilson understands that grief is a universal feeling and, by bringing the audience into their world and their story, creates this small, supportive community of people within the one-hour run-time.

Bissett and Khan have an incredible eye for detail in their direction. The use of projection throughout is fantastic yet never takes away from what’s happening on stage. The use of pace is perfect, nothing ever drags but the audience still has time to listen to and understand the emotional journey of Indra.

I tend to shy away from personal anecdotes when I review shows but for Float I will make an exception. This is a piece of theatre that will stay with me for a long time. When I left the venue, I began to tell my friends about the show, but I couldn’t get the words out due to the tears running down my face. This is contemporary theatre done right!

Thank you, Indra, for sharing your story.

Float runs until August 25th at Gilded Balloon Patter House (Other Yin) and tickets are available at https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/float

Reviewer: Dylan Mooney

Reviewed: 2nd August 2025

North West End UK Rating: