Presented by Maddie and Marcus Rice, Charlotte Pleasants and Underbelly
Review by Eloise Robertson
Belly Dancer at Underbelly, Cowgate
Goodbye Dandelion is a beautiful and absolutely touching piece of storytelling. The setting makes the first impression: a superb dandelion, lighting up a piano, two chairs and two microphones. As siblings Maddie and Marcus Rice take the stage, with warm and endearingly proud smiles, it is obvious their story is not borne from pretension or lofty ambition; rather, it emanates directly from their hearts.
What begins, then, is a love letter to the uniquely funny, outspoken rudeness, and incomparable wisdom of the old folks we all know and care so much for. Maddie has written the perfect eulogy for a woman called Darcy who never existed but who represents so many who did. Eulogising an old lady – quite the funniest demographic around – would be totally incomplete without humour. The Rice siblings excel in this regard, with Maddie bringing the deeply personable older sister jokes and Marcus providing a cheekily honest sense of humour through his songs.
Maddie’s persona is charming, slightly lost, and yet totally dedicated; it seems likely its very similar to her off-stage self, hence why she plays it so well. Marcus tinkles the piano keys as she talks, with a score that is both interesting in its own right and wholly complementary to her storytelling. When he interrupts, with songs about death so blunt they’re almost exposure therapy, it is a humorous relief both Maddie and the audience are wholly grateful for. Together, they walk the risky tightrope of finding humour in death and, impressively, never miss a step.
Each phrase, note, and nickname builds up the vivid picture of Darcy. Despite meandering in and out of the story – with Marcus’ songs and both their reflections delivered directly to us – they keep their tale totally cohesive by imbuing everything with meaning. It is this wonderful cohesion which gifts us the moral of the story with such clarity. It teaches us that while death is ever-present, so too is life. For both, we spend too much time considering the right way to do it, trying to figure out how to win against it, and not enough time enjoying what it means for us. It is an essential lesson in how blind we can be to have loved we really are.
A Gift
Goodbye Dandelion runs Venue 61, Belly Dancer at Underbelly, Cowgate at 16:10
Running time – Sixty minutes
Review by Eloise Robertson (contact@corrblimey.uk)
Eloise is studying her fourth year of a Philosophy degree at University of Edinburgh, but she spends far too much time costuming student shows and writing opinion pieces for The Student. Since returning from her year abroad in Australia, she’s worked Bedlam Fringe and thrown herself back into Footlights and EUSOG by costuming both their main term shows. At the same time, she’s increasingly found her true passion in writing, and will begin her Master’s in International/Human Rights Journalism next September.
Eloise is a lover of all things camp and comedic, so she’s super excited to review stand-up, clowning, drag, musical theatre, and much more! At the same time, she’s a literature nerd who loves to see a reimagining of a traditional, emotive piece; whether it’s a one man Vanya or unicycling Bottom.
