Review: Driving Miss Daisy, Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton
There is no doubt that a little kindness goes a long way, especially in this day and age of looking after number one.
What better then than a play about just that and the growing friendship between two individuals who, on the surface, couldn't be more different.
The Pulitzer prize-winning Driving Miss Daisy delighted the audience at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre last night, proving to be even more captivating than the film version, despite the clever, but simplistic set and understated atmosphere.
The humour is subtle and intelligent.
Set in the deep-south over a period of 20 odd years, it is the tale of an aging Jewish lady, Daisy Werthan, whose son, Boolie, employs a black chauffeur for her. Needless to say she is hostile, but over time the pair develop a relationship of tolerance and mutual respect.
It is almost impossible to choose between the exceptional performances by the three-strong cast, but Don Warrington's exquisite depiction of Hoke and his ability to reach his audience is incomparable.
Corrie star, Gwen Taylor has Miss Daisy's somewhat cantankerous character off to a tee, but still retains all the charm and class of a lady of Daisy's standing.
Ian Porter, who has starred in such Hollywood blockbusters as Saving Private Ryan and Gulliver's Travels, gave a perfectly pitched performance as peacemaker Boolie, holding his own with a display of extremely natural acting and portrays the generational differences between himself and the two older characters impeccably.
The final scene between Hoke and Miss Daisy will touch even the hardest heart, so expect to wipe away a tear.
It's an hour and a half with no interval, but time simply flashes by. Unmissable.
The play runs at the Grand Theatre until Saturday.
Alison Norton
