The Golden Fly Bomb | Baron's Court Theatre

In a world we cannot change, how do we find the strength to go on? The Golden Fly Bomb, a one-woman show written and directed by Zhiwei Wu, takes the stage at Barons Court Theatre and The Cockpit, guiding us through A's world in just 60 minutes while raising this thought-provoking question.

We never learn the protagonist’s real name, in the Japanese bar where she works, she’s simply known as A, as if she could be anyone. Over the course of a surreal 24 hours, fragments of her life begin to surface: a kitten she once adopted, the tensions that tore through her parents’ relationship, the affection she yearned for but never fully received, a friend at the bar who remains somewhat distant, and a customer who lingers in her thoughts. In a life where hope is hard to come by, she invents a special form of therapy: the Golden Fly Bomb…

The small stage at Barons Court is undoubtedly used to its fullest potential, and in fact, this production feels perfectly suited to such an intimate space, bringing the audience closer to A, both physically and emotionally. Even before the performance officially begins, the actor is already seated on stage, inviting a few audience members to play hanafuda, just as how A might interact with guests in a bar. The clever use of lighting (Yuhan Zhao, Yaqi Sun), projection (Chenchen Cai), and music (Yang Liu, Yancheng Jiang, Yangfan Zhang) adds to the immersive atmosphere of the show. Additionally, the use of multiple languages including Chinese, Japanese, and Korean alongside English enhances the distinctly Asian cultural backdrop of the story.

Jiyeon Song is an actor with a strong personal presence, and her unique energy and physicality align well with the character of A. However, since A’s journey is filled with deep and complex emotions, Jiyeon’s performance at times feels a bit restrained. If she were to allow herself to express those emotions more outwardly, the existing highlights in her performance could shine even brighter, and it would be easier for the audience to connect with her emotionally.

At present, The Golden Fly Bomb is more like a collection of fragments from A’s life, focusing more on her personal state, and stands in a kind of stillness. This inevitably brings certain limitations, but it can still touch the hearts of some people. It’s like when A turns into a horse, walking briskly under a blue-purple light with an umbrella, this piece carries that kind of slightly lonely, slightly romantic atmosphere.

★★★★☆ (4*)

Gifted tickets in return for an honest review