Australia’s towering literary genius Patrick White had a well-documented love for the theatre. His language is pure performance and we tap into its power in Brink’s richly theatrical adaptation. Actors, musicians and audience share the space in a circle of burnt earth beneath a canvas of Australian sky. The work shifts and swirls, drawing the audience into the immediacy of a strangely familiar world – the suburb of Barranugli – where the Whalley family are getting ready for a day at the dump, while next door the Hogbens prepare to bury the scandalous Daise Morrow.
There is no sentimentality here. Brutally funny, profound in its understanding of human nature, and filled with magic and wonder, the brilliance of White’s writing is tender in its humour, unforgiving and wise, accompanied with haunting music from Zephyr Quartet.
The Aspirations of Daise Morrow is storytelling rich with music and light, a poignant evocation of the wonders of small beginnings, the complications of compassion and the majesty of love.
“Visually captivating, splendidly lucid stage adaption.” The Australian