Daffodils

A most exciting play at Parramatta http://www.sydneyartsguide.com.au/bullet-heart-club-presents-daffodils-at-riverside-theatres-parramatta/This play will shortly tour to Edinburgh as part of the Fringe Festival there. Rochelle Bright’s play tells the story of Eric and Rose from Hamilton New Zealand who meet at a lake with daffodils . The same place that Eric’s parents met 20 years earlier. They fall in love, marry and fashion a life together over the 1960’s to 1980’s with an indie rock back ground soundtrack. The story is inspired by the story of the playwrights’ own parents. Tall, rather gangly Todd Emerson, plays Eric who when we first meet him is a TV salesman who wears a fine suit but has a so 1960’s hairdo and glasses. Eric is nerdy at first- we discover this hides his many insecurities. Emerson displays a fine, powerful tenor voice and has a strong stage presence. Colleen Davis, wearing a beautiful red lace dress, is stunning as Rose. At first she is in shy, blonde beauty mode (think Marilyn Monroe or early Princess Diana) but then she goes on to reveal massive charm and charisma as layers of joy and pain are revealed. Both performers are barefoot throughout. Both act as narrators in part as well as being incredible singers. They perform covers of various pop/rock groups of the era including Crowded House, LIPS, Bic Runga, Chris Knox, The Mint Chicks, Dave Dobbyn, The Exponents, Darcy Clay, The Mutton Birds, Th’Dudes, The Senators, The Swingers and Blam Blam Blam. Stephanie Brown, (perhaps more widely known as singer/songwriter Lips) who arranged the music, also sings and plays keyboard in the live band. “She’s A Mod” was performed with invigorating relish. McGlashan’s “Anchor Me” echoed the couple’s shattering anguish as did the poignant version of Luck’s “I’ll Say Goodbye” . Their love’s purest moment is identified with Chris Knox’s “Not Given Lightly”. But that love’s innocent purity is demolished with a blending of Blam Blam Blam’s “There is No Depression in New Zealand” with Darcy Clay’s “Jesus I Was Evil”. “The Language” by Dave Dobbyn becomes one of the heart- breaking climaxes of the narrative of the show . Memories of joy, thoughts of pain and the struggle to survive, are poignantly balanced with the songs and add weight and texture to the narrative. The set is minimal, comprising just the band kit, a couple of carpet runners, and a projection screen. Some great photos are projected onto the screen, including black and white family footage, Kodak stills, and eerie black and white photography of a night drive. Bright’s script is sometimes witty and ironic at others painfully honest especially when some rather unexpected dramatic revelations are made. The Daffodils of the title are, at one level, symbolic of how the men wordlessly express their love. Davis and Emerson talk to the audience, rather than to each other, declaring their love in words and music. Powerful, electric performances by this fine cast make this bittersweet, moving production sizzle. Running time one hour and fifteen minutes without interval. DAFFODILS, directed by Dena Kennedy, played at the Riverside Theatres Parramatta between the 12th and the 14th May.