Goodbye Dandelion ****

Real live siblings Maddie and Marcus Rice team up to present Goodbye Dandelion.

The stage is set with a piano, microphones and a slightly odd-shaped chandelier. The chandelier has its own significance: Darcy was nicknamed ‘Dandelion’ by her late best friend, Vera, on account of her distinctive white hairstyle.

This is a piece of musical theatre about Maddie’s newly made, friend, Darcy. It’s an unusual friendship though – there’s a half century age gap.

Far from being the hackneyed 87-year-old snoozing in her chair and wondering what’s for dinner, Darcy is a force of nature. Direct, dismissive and sharply intelligent, she has a highly developed sense of identity. Her only family are two nieces on the other side of the world, for whom she has little affection, dubbing them the “ugly sisters”. And she takes her cat, Major Minor, out for regular walks.

However, Darcy and Maddie are not obviously kindred spirits. Maddie has always wanted a cat, but her flatmate has an allergy. She has had a relationship with Pete for some four years, but is he really her type? Maddie does not quite seem to embrace life in the way that Darcy does. She is not fearless.

Events take a significant turn when Darcy takes a momentous decision which Maddie cannot accept. Despite being sworn to secrecy, Maddie is left agonising about whether to disclose this to the nieces.

At the heart of the production are ideas around carpe diem and not fearing death. Darcy’s influence eventually galvanises Maddie to rediscover her own sense of agency and, in doing so, to engage more fully with life.

The narrative is punctuated by song and Marcus’ accomplished piano playing. The storytelling is beautifully crafted, interspersed with gentle humour woven throughout, its fundamental message is one of celebrating life and embracing the choices that make it meaningful.

Goodbye Dandelion is a charming, thoughtful and uplifting production, celebrating friendship, courage and the importance of living life on your own terms.

Underbelly Cowgate until 30^th August.