Makara Gamble, JD Cullum and Philicia Saunders (photo by Cooper Bates)
Reviewed by Madison Mellon
The Fountain Theatre
Through November 24
RECOMMENDED
Despite being a British story, set in Newcastle, I, Daniel Blake is painfully relevant in America’s current economic and political climate. Adapted from the Paul Laverty film of the same name, this play is a poignant critique of how capitalist societies treat the less fortunate and how people are reduced to expendable cogs in a broken machine. The production, currently playing at The Fountain Theatre, is uniformly strong: It is heartbreaking without becoming overly sentimental, and all of the production elements come together to create an engaging piece of theater.
The film was released in 2016, but the play is set now, although it is unfortunately a timeless story. Daniel Blake (JD Cullum), a widowed woodworker, suffers a heart attack and is advised by his doctor not to return to work. However, he is denied Employment and Support Allowance and is caught in an endless loop of bureaucracy as he attempts to appeal his case. Meanwhile, single mother Katie (Philicia Saunders) and her daughter Daisy (Makara Gamble), have just moved from London to Newcastle to seek more affordable housing. Daniel befriends and helps them as they are also repeatedly failed by the dysfunctional social support system.
The play is both a sharp social critique and an affirmation of the goodness and humanity of individual people. The script (adapted by Dave Johns) smartly avoids being overly heavy-handed with the issues it discusses. While certain moments (such as when Daniel is lectured by a shop owner about being a lazy leech) feel slightly on-the-nose, the play has enough of an edge that it never becomes preachy or treacly. The relationships between the characters feel authentic and earned, leading to some truly heartfelt scenes. The well-drawn characters elicit a great deal of empathy and allow the piece to land its message with impact.
This is also helped by the strong cast. Cullum plays Daniel as a kindly curmudgeon and is immediately endearing. Cullum’s performance almost seems too soft at the beginning: it would have been nice to see him gradually warm up over time as his friendship with Katie grows. However, it is ultimately a very effective performance and he is the sympathetic, emotional core of the show. As Daisy, Makara Gamble carries some of the most touching scenes, and her portrayal is nuanced and believable. Phylicia Saunders carefully balances Katie’s strength and vulnerability, and Wesley Guimarães gives an effortlessly charming performance as Daniel’s entrepreneurial neighbor, China.
The production design is simple and cleanly executed. The set (scenic design by Joel Daavid) consists primarily of shelves which suggest the characters’ apartments, with items appearing and disappearing as their circumstances change, sometimes to devastating effect. Several screens also function to show various locations as well as projecting text, such as Tweets from Boris Johnson and other political figures (projection design by Nicholas Santiago). The inclusion of social media elements in theatre can often feel inauthentic or forced, but here it is subtly done and reinforces the overall themes of the piece.
I, Daniel Blake is a deeply relevant story that is both bleak and hopeful. The skilled cast and confident direction by Simon Levy work together to craft a touching and compelling production. In these volatile times, where so many are teetering on the edge of financial disaster, stories like I, Daniel Blake are more vital than ever.
The Fountain Theatre, 5060 Fountain Ave., Los Angeles. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun. 2 p.m.; Pay What You Want Mondays, 8pm; thru Nov. 24. No shows: 11/8, 11/9, 11/10, 11/11 & 11/16 https://www.fountaintheatre.com/Running Time: 100 minutes with no intermission.
