Review: Driving Miss Daisy @ New Theatre
Driving Miss Daisy
New Theatre
Tuesday 4th February 2013
Having broken records on Broadway and wowed the West End, David Esbjornson's award-winning hit, Driving Miss Daisy, opened at the New Theatre on Tuesday night for a week’s run in the Welsh capital. The charming and absorbing tale of an improbable friendship between spiky 80-something Daisy Werthan (Gwen Taylor) and her compassionate chauffeur, Hoke Coleburn (Don Warrington) makes for a gentle, but nonetheless striking, take on the theme of racial tension in the South.
Employed by son Boolie Werthan (Ian Porter), Hoke is reluctantly accepted by the stubbornly independent Daisy and despite a few casual racist slurs, we learn that her initial opposition isn’t based on colour prejudice. Under the backdrop of the blossoming civil rights movement and white supremacist activity, this white woman and black man gradually form a bond that transcends race, and the societal context that reveals itself in Hoke’s anecdotes, a Martin Luther King civil rights dinner, and projections of marches and KKK activity is subtle and never forced onto the audience. However, even the seemingly progressive Boolie, who picks his mother up on her mildly bigoted comments and treats Hoke respectfully and amiably in private, feels unable to attend said dinner for fear of damaging his business. This divide, for a modern audience, seems ridiculous yet this observation of a country in transition gives a fresh perspective on a well-documented era of social transformation.
Continually amusing and entertaining as their characters became ever familiar, Hoke and Daisy’s relationship simmers away as they share old age and sharp humour. Warrington and Taylor work wonders as a partnership and authentically filled their Southern roles and with the equally impressive Porter in tow, the three cast members moved with the simple yet smooth staging to travel through the 50s and 60s. Aged 90, Daisy’s health deteriorates; “You are my best friend, you know that?” she motions, as proceedings came to a touching, if not a little abrupt, finish.
Inspiration for the much-loved, 1989 Oscar-winning movie, writer Alfred Uhry’s strong script engaged from the off and the 90 minute, interval-less show didn’t drag for a moment despite its dialogue heavy progression. With fine performances all round, which helped accentuate moments of poignancy, this slow-building production lifted hearts and reinforced that friendship should know no restrictions. Go see it, and take your mum. She’ll love it.
Driving Miss Daisy is showing at the New Theatre until Saturday 9th February.
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