Daffodils – Brisbane Powerhouse

Daffodils, the multi-award winning indie Kiwi cabaret now at Brisbane Powerhouse’s Visy Theatre., is an everyday story of extraordinary love inspired by true events. Rochelle Bright’s parents met in a patch of daffodils – the same patch of daffodils where her grandparents also met. Magic, fate or coincidence?

This show follows the evolution of Eric and Rose’s relationship, from their meet-cute to their marriage and beyond. While it’s a rom-com, there’s nothing trite or sappy about this show. It’s tender but also honest about long-term relationships and the complicated miscommunications and secrets that can arise within them.

The soundtrack of the show was varied (Crowded House, Bic Runga, Chris Knox, The Mint Chicks, Dave Dobbyn, The Exponents, Darcy Clay, The Mutton Birds, Th’Dudes, The Senators, The Swingers, Blam Blam Blam) and well integrated into the narrative. Often the songs were used to illustrate the complex, internal emotions of the characters – which were not always in sync with each other.

Colleen Davis and Todd Emerson were really touching as Rose and Eric. Their performances (along with the script, of course) made the characters they presented very real, nuanced and easy to empathise with. Certainly, both characters, like all people, were a little flawed, but with their obvious passion for one another and their quirky senses of humour they were very likable. Even though they were on opposite sides of the stage for most of the show (each at one of the two microphones), with a lot of their dialogue being addressed to the audience rather than to each other, they still maintained a strong connection. Both Davis and Emerson had strong voices and really shone during the musical numbers.

The set was very low key – two stretches of carpet leading up to the mikes set up a fair distance apart, and a small band. This gave the feel of an intimate, indie concert and was evocative of the time period of the show (1960s).

Daffodils is poignant and full of heart.  A bittersweet rom-com that will leave you feeling grateful for every day you have with loved ones.