Somehow I missed the film when it came out in 1989, so it was good to go and see this production at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre without any preconceived expectations.
People often think the film came first but in fact Driving Miss Daisy was first written as a play by Alfred Uhry in 1987.
It tells the story of two very different characters living in the southern states of America at the height of the Civil Rights Movements in the 1050s and 60s and how, despite their social differences, they are drawn together. They come from very different sides of the American race divide. Hoke, played by Rising Damp’s Don Warrington, is a gentle, black, poor widower. Daisy, played by Gwen Taylor, is a rich, white, retired Jewish school teacher and she is growing old. They are both fiercely proud and apparently independent and when Daisy’s son (Ian Porter) appoints Hoke as her driver she is outraged and adamant that she does not need his help. She holds out for 6 days then reluctantly agrees he can drive her to the Piggley Wiggley store.
“Well, well,” says Hoke in amazement, “It took 6 days for her to agree to that - same time as it took God to create the world”.
Between 1948 and 1973, while enormous upheavals go on in the world, the relationship between these two reflects political and social changes in America. For those who know the name Matin Luther King, but can’t quite recall what he did, director David Esbjornson has kindly employed the use of projections to help clarify events and many of them are very moving. The set is minimal but effective. A bench and a couple of chairs simulate the car, indeed cars, where many of Miss Daisy and Hoke’s most important conversations take place.
And this brings us to a flaw in this production, the often inaudible dialogue ie; the conversations that we couldn’t hear. Maybe it was because our seats were at the rear of the stalls but for the first 10 minutes I couldn’t catch a word of what Hoke said. And I so wanted to - the lines are precious in this piece. Ian Porter as Boolie delivered his lines well and up to the audience but both Hoke and Daisy often turned away or dropped the volume and this was frustrating.
However, in this 3 handed production the characters are endearing and charmingly portrayed. I did expect more initial friction between Miss Daisy and Hoke, mainly to emphasize the journey from their initial introduction to their final scene where there is true tenderness and, maybe even love. A bit of spice would also have added to the humour which was occasionally there but slightly restrained in a rather British way.
After 25 years together, Hoke and Miss Daisy grow together without realising how much they need each other. When she finally begins to lose her mental capabilities, Hoke is there for her and it is apparent that he is the only person she really cherishes spending her time with.
Driving Miss Daisy plays at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre Guildford until Saturday October 13.
