A HOME-GROWN production that makes the ordinary extraordinary, Paperwork Theatre’s Deep Blue is a tender and touching look at loneliness, isolation and the need for human connection.
The piece began online and developed through lockdown, and comes to life on the Everyman stage, combining Hayley Greggs’ story with live music and original songs played by the cast. It’s all a perfect fit.
Danielle McLauren plays Riley; single, child-free by choice, “on the wrong side of 35”, and increasingly left behind. As those around her progress in work, romance, and the pursuit of happiness, she withdraws and retreats into her own world.
With an unsympathetic boss (Holly Phelps), self-centred best friend (Holly Mallet), unrequited crush (Robin Morrissey) and parents on the other side of the world, the only thing left to talk to is her plant, Harry (a deadpan Jake Holmes).
The mundanity of existence, the bleak comedy of despair and the silent ache of solitude are examined beautifully in Gregg’s relatable script. Some very good dreamlike sequences of physical theatre symbolise Riley’s downward spiral, and the catchy, folky psychedelic rock from the local band Mono LPs punctuates the drama in real Everyman style, performed with gusto by the cast. Multi-instrumentalist Holly Mallet will be recognisable to parents as one of TVs Andy and the Oddsocks (it can’t be said I wasn’t a bit overjoyed by this); Holly Phelps is a natural punk folk-style frontwoman who performs under the stage name Iora. The cast don’t make an obvious ensemble, nevertheless maybe that’s the point - it’s a combination of elements that really works.
Deep Blue wears its heart on its sleeve, a deliberately understated piece of storytelling beautifully designed to pack an emotional punch, delivering recognisable moments of darkness and hope.
