Driving Miss Daisy, The Dukes, Lancaster
Production details : review
Driving Miss Daisy
The story is an enduring tale of friendship between an older lady who is past her best for driving, and a middle-aged chauffeur hire by her son against her will, but pushed by his insurance company.
It has been made into an award-winning film, so there are no real grounds for reviewing the plot, the only comment needed is to say that this really is a classic play which will endure.
This performance by three actors held the audiences attention from start to finnish, about 90 minutes. I found myself wodering where the time had gone when the interval arrived. In this production the stage is set on different levels, with minor areas around the edge. Changes in lighting transform it from one scene to the next in a delightful and exciting way.
Miss Daisy is wonderfully protrayed, starting off as a lady of perhaps 62ish, fit and quite healthy, bright and alert, walking easily and confidently. Slowly, almost imperceptibly she ages, walking more slowly and adopting the mannerisms of older age. The transformation is skillful and seamless. Simlarly Hoke ages gracefully.
Boolie is a middle-aged man, but doesn't appear to change greatly perhaps this is intentional to exagerate the differences in Miss Daisy and Hoke.
The overall effect is enthralling, it had me listening intently to every word, although in the early part I did miss one or two of Hoke's lines which were a little fast for me to catch. Overall, this was a super night of theatre. I recommend it highly. There are not many performances so book now!