This one-man play is essentially an hour-long monologue by Brian Voakes.
Initially presenting itself as an opportunity to spend time listening to a charming elder gentleman sharing sweet-natured anecdotes, it seamlessly morphs into a moving, witty, wisdom-laden treatise on the magic of friendship, healing, mortality, curiosity and empathy and of noticing and sharing the simple pleasures in life.
To help the audience lean into the ‘relaxed fire-side chat-like’ atmosphere, eight seats are arranged in an arc within the performance space; the watching punters substituting as ‘close friends’ and confidantes. As these seats are also facing forwards, I can’t help but notice that those perched upon them are somewhat inconvenienced whenever the narrator venture downstage (i.e. behind them). For those in ‘standard seating’, however, the effect is quite comforting.
Our host’s playful use of a bicycle, a wheelchair and a pink bathrobe help to add weight to what are a series of well-observed – and smoothly collated – stories. They include witty reminisces about – among other things – becoming a post-retirement drama an emergency hospital trip via Uber and bonding with an unseen stranger over the calming death-rattle of a comatose fellow-patient.
If this sounds both odd and rather ordinary, it’s because it is. Both the relatability of the stories, and the calming – matter-of-fact delivery with which they are shared – are a reminder of just how important all those ‘smaller moments’ are; the lack of which would mean that the so-called ‘bigger moments’ would cease to be.
Indeed, by the end of the one-hour show, I found I had been moved to tears on two separate occasions; driven to cry by bonded ties and knowing smiles.
Both director Iacopo Farusi and Creative Consultant Max Hutchinson guide with restraint and respect for both the actor and his story. However, it is writer and performer Brian Voakes who deserves most credit for, not only creating this charming piece, but for holding onto – and sharing with ‘us’ – his enduring sense of wonder.
This play is a funny, sad, poignant and – yes – graceful reminder that we are all alchemists; capable of transforming the energy around us – just as our energy shall, inevitably be transformed.
I have a t-shirt bearing the following tagline : “Weirdness is everywhere and life is magic”. I like this t-shirt; it makes me think; it makes me pause; it makes me smile. Though oftentimes I viewed through misty eyes, this insightful, little play made me do likewise.
Goodbye, Mr. Coffee is a wonderfully welcome palette-cleanser, and deserves a wider audience.
Need to know: Goodbye, Mr.Coffee played at the Camden Fringe Festival from 1-3 Aug 2024.
