Alfred Uhry has said that he had long turned down offers for a Broadway production of DRIVING MISS DAISY until the impressive cast of Vanessa Redgrave and James Earl Jones came along, and what a wise decision that was. The tale, albeit sentimental and touching, is given the electrifying touch it needs by the actors.
The celebrated pair, alongside Boyd Gaines, have had time to perfect the production, having starred last season on Broadway and are now testing the English waters at Wyndham’s theatre.
Although the story is well known to many, thanks to the 1989 film starring Morgan Freeman, it is given a fresh spin with Redgrave’s witty and personable representation of Miss Daisy. This is matched by Jones’ impeccable portrayal of the kind and sub-serving Hoke Colburn that puts the theatre production head and shoulders above the film.
Miss Daisy is a headstrong Jewish widow from Atlanta who, after a series of car accidents, is persuaded by her son to accept a chauffeur in the form of Hoke Colburn. The story follows them through the momentous period from 1948 to 1973 in which we see the civil rights movement and the work of Martin Luther King. Despite being set in such a critical period, Uhry makes the professional and personal relationship of Miss Daisy and Hoke the focus of the play. Despite both sharing similar characteristics; they are both strong-willed and face some sort of prejudice, the main factor binding the two together is their inability to change old age and it’s accompaniments.
The exploration of racism and prejudice, which occurred in America at the time, is underpinned by the humour and teasing between the trio. Despite the contrast between the characters and the movement of the time being a little schematic, the relationships that Uhry (and enhanced by the solid acting) has created are so moving that this doesn’t matter.
The friendship that develops between Miss Daisy and Hoke is one that shouldn’t have occurred, and one that Miss Daisy has fought so hard against, and that makes it all the more beautiful. The most memorable scene between the two (and one of the scnes that Redgrave’s superb characterisation of Daisy shines through) is Miss Daisy’s first sign of madness. Hoke’s desperation to prevent what looks like early signs of dementia is heart-wrenching and Daisy’s line “You’re my best friend Hoke,” makes a lasting imprint on viewers. This moment is pivotal to the story of DRIVING MISS DAISY and the reason it is loved by many.
So be warned: if you are planning to take a visit to Wyndam’s theatre to watch the play, make sure you bring plenty of tissues.
Driving Miss Daisy is showing at Wyndham’s Theatre until 17 December.
