Danny And The Deep Blue Sea in one word is a hurricane. It is a force of nature to be reckoned with. Set in the 1980s in the Bronx, it follows the two characters of Danny and Roberta fiercely played by JK Kazzi and Jacqui Purvis. I mean this is a masterclass on acting. You truly believed every word they were saying. Honestly two of the best performances I have seen in recent memory. Their raw unfiltered emotion, and explosive dialogue masterfully written by John Patrick Shanley. This is no holds barred dialogue at its grittiest.
We follow the Characters of Danny and Roberta from a chance meeting at a bar and the encounters that follow are a whirlwind of violence and tenderness. I do issue a warning that this play has mature themes including violence from both parties, and does mention sexual abuse and there is also use of coarse language.
The direction of this play by Nigel Turner-Carroll is very clever, using every inch of the stage as an interactive landscape absolutely delights. There is a very well thought out scene change that doesn’t break the tension of the play which is very hard to do.
At the heart of this play is two very dysfunctional people that come across very unlikable at the beginning but then throughout the course of the play you will begin to think and ponder that absolutely everyone is deserving of love and kindness, no matter their flaws.
The audience gave this play a standing ovation, and rightly so. Everything worked, from the accents, to the acting, the lighting and great use of the stage.
The Old Fitz is an intimate venue perfect for this type of play.
Theatre at it’s absolute best should leave the audience changed in some way. This play left a mark on me and gave me an insight into a world that is foreign to me. I left the theatre actually having more empathy for people that live a different life to myself, and I think that is a true testament to everyone involved in this production.
This play is a thought provoking hurricane that takes you on a roller coaster of emotion, that will ultimately leave you changed after witnessing it.
A very big congratulations to all involved and I don’t think you can ask much more of a theatre experience.
To book tickets to Danny And The Deep Blue Sea, please visit https://www.oldfitztheatre.com.au/danny-and-the-deep-blue-sea-1.
Photographer: Tony Davison
