Reviewed by Amalisha HuEck
What an interesting set, brilliantly put together. All the scenes work within the set, which in one moment is in the courtroom, the next one on the street, and then Daniel Blake's apartment and so on. The video projection behind show the location. Magnificent!
The story of I, Daniel Blake takes us to England's unemployment situation showing how messed up that 'bloody' circle of getting help from Government can be. Decision makers are hard to catch, and it takes a long time to get to them. Unleashing Britain's potential is not happening when people get older. The feeling of being not needed because one had a heart attack, even sick-job allowances fall under brutal sanctions which are given out like candy. All of this is overwhelming, humiliating and one is simply just ignored. Clearly, 'Too many people are being let down by an unemployment system that is inadequate, harsh, and fails to provide the basic security they need to live with dignity.'
The Production I, Daniel Blake is adapted by Dave Johns from the 2016 British drama film written by Paul Laverty and directed by Ken Loach. As film, it won the Palme d'Or at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, the Prix du public at the 2016 Locarno International Film Festival, and the 2017 BAFTA Award for Outstanding British Film.'
The Fountain Theatre presents the U.S. premiere of a play I, Daniel Blake with JD Cullum as Daniel Blake, 'a middle-aged man who is denied Employment and Support Allowance despite being declared unfit to work by his doctor.' After having a heart attack at the age of 59 Daniel Blake underwent a Work Capability Assessment and is denied Employment and Support Allowance. To appeal that decision, Daniel gets lost in the way he has to fill out the form, which is through the computer. As many 'Baby Boomer' generation folks, Daniel is pretty illiterate in computer knowledge; therefore, that task is out of his reach. 'Philicia Saunders co-stars as Katie, a strangling single mother whom Daniel befriends'. Her daughter Daisy is played by Makara Gamble (what a beautiful little actor), who opens the hearts of the audience and together with Katie and Daniel Blake the magic of a good theatre is created. The play would not exist without Sheila, a social worker (Janet Greaves), China (Wesley Guimaraes) the Floor Manager/Ensemble (Adam Segaller). Every single actor is magnificent and performs to his/her full potential.
Driven to an early grave by the State, Daniel Blake demands an appeal by writing on the side of the building for everyone to see, 'I, Daniel Blake demand my appeal date before I starve... I feel the shame, lost and broken. I demand my right. I demand respect. I, Daniel Blake, am a citizen, not a dog.' But another, second heart attack ends his life without ever getting what he needed.
The Creative Team are Allison Bibicoff (Movement Director and Intimacy Director), Alison Brummer (Lighting Design), Joel Daavid (Scenic Design). Gina Deluca (Asst.Stage Manager), Victoria Hoffman (Casting Director), Anna Kupershmidt (Production Stage Manager), Jenine MacDonald (Properties Design), Michael Mullen (Costume Design), Cricket S. Myers (Sound Design), and Nicholas Santiago (Projection Design). Simon Levy (Director) has been Producing Director of the Fountain Theatre since 1993. The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle honored him with the Milton Katselas Award for Lifetime Achievement in Directing. And it shows. His craft is precise, skillful and it stands out.
Under award-winning playwright, director, producer and the Artistic Director Stephen Sachs, the Fountain Theatre, which he co-founded in 1990, functions on a high standard with so much enthusiasm and professionalism. With the Fountain Staff, James Bennett (Producer), Peter Goodhill (Director of Development), Barbara Goodhill (Director of Development), Nathan James (Theatre Education & Social Media Manager), Lucy Pollak (Publicist), Terri Roberts (Café Manager/Costume Maintenance), Scott Tuomey (Technical Director), Melina Young (Box Office Manager) and Liz Aquilar (Box Office Manager), the Fountain Theatre is among the best Theatres in town. Executive Producers for Fountain Theatre are Carrie Menkel-Meadow & Dr. Robert G. Meadow. Producing Underwriters are Laurie & Robert Silton.
Produced by The Fountain Theatre I, Daniel Blake is performed in 90 minutes with no intermission. The address is 5060 Fountain Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90029 (corner Fountain & Normandie). The performances are on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at 8:00 pm and Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 2:00 pm.
For more info or to buy a ticket please call 323-663-1525 or email:
info@fountaintheatre.com
*** After 34 years as artistic director, Fountain Theatre cofounder Stephen Sachs has announced his retirement at the end of 2024. Thank you, Stephen, for many years of theatre excellence.