Finlay Clench
Goodbye Dandelion sweeps you off your feet. It is quirky, sweet and the perfect tonic to any hectic day at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Two siblings perform onstage at Underbelly, Cowgate, both decked in blue. Both humble characters, softly spoken and politely aware of their duty to deliver for the audience. And they do just that.
Unearthing a story of lost hope, new beginnings and death is what electric duo Maddie and Marcus Rice achieve. They track the story of Darcy, an elderly lady whom Maddie stumbles across.
In this true retelling, the pair deliver a smattering of comedy alongside a revealing journey about death and living in the present. This is all down to the calm which the two performers bring into the space, and careful navigation of the material.
It’s particularly inspiring to hear this story that spans such a long period of time. Goodbye Dandelion serves a strong purpose in the 21st century given ageism’s rising prominence and a profound under appreciation for older generations. Both Maddie and Darcy undergo clear transformations as they help each other better understand death and the meaning of life.
After being warmly embraced by this bumbling, happy duo, the piano relaxes the audience even further. Marcus Rice tinkles away at brief emotional motifs, or dabbles in new ballad masterpieces. He seamlessly transitions from an active part in Maddie’s storytelling to being positioned outside the story and providing a cosy living room atmosphere.
The warm piano backing is woven through perfectly: at one point the audience even sing along to a tune that Marcus plays. They are a talented act supported well by director Katie Pesskin.
Moments at the microphone where factual details are added don’t quite fit the tone and seem a little preacher-esque. Although they are fascinating insights into the themes of the story, better integration is needed with them into the script.
The metaphor of dandelions is well-integrated, and assists the cutesy, quaint and eccentric storytelling. Everything feels distinctly familiar. The dandelions become a brittle metaphor for Darcy, as a nickname she had, and for the hair that sprouts clumsily out of her head.
They are also drawn on to show their importance in ecosystems: often seen as a weed, dandelions provide life to gardens. Perhaps I have seen similar metaphors before, though never as gently as this.
Importantly, dandelions let their seeds spread around the world, just like this play. Goodbye Dandelion gathers momentum and leaves a tiny seed pod of bittersweet happiness with every gracious audience member.
Reccomended Drink: A glass of Sauvignon Blanc, shared with Darcy.
Catch Goodbye Dandelion at Underbelly Cowgate (Belly Dancer) from August 10-30 at 16.10 (60 mins). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Box Office.
Image Credit: Alexis Dubus
Salvador Kent
Tom Clayton
