Dane Buckley @ Pleasance Courtyard
Dane Buckley shines in his debut Fringe show dedicated to the women who raised him – an ode to family, heritage and belonging
When you’re watching Dane Buckley’s new show, Darling, you are witnessing someone truly special and something entirely unique. Indeed, this is something that Buckley himself was told growing up, by his fiercely loyal sisters, his Irish mammie, his doting grandmother and his best friend, the school dinner lady. Darling is an ode to the strong women in Buckley’s life. Honestly, whatever they did, they got it right, because this is a performer you don’t come across often.
We begin with some crowd repartee, with Buckley honing in on an audience member he calls “Bob” whom he continues to flirt with throughout the show. “Don’t get jealous, Bob” he teases as he works the rest of the room. Infectiously camp and intensely funny, this is a performer who truly loves performing. You’re happy to be there for the ride.
As we are taken through his life growing up on a council estate in North West London, we’re taken through different key memories. It’s warm and heartfelt, with Buckley providing visuals from the 80s and 90s that draw us into a dreamlike state of nostalgia. The show covers vast ground, but never once does it lag, retaining a quick pace throughout. Even when we move on to the sad passing of his late sister, Buckley doesn’t falter in tone. He pays homage to her in a way which is filled with humour and tenderness. Recalling conversations had with those who have passed, he brings them to life, punctuated with uncanny impressions of each family member. At one point, an audience member coughs. “Is that you here with us now, Grandmother?!” he cries out, always one step ahead.
Darling feels like a warm hug of a show: an explosive celebration of queerness, family and heritage. There are a few teary eyes in the crowd, though it’s hard to tell whether it’s from laughing or crying.
Deeply moving and uproariously funny, Darling is a perfect example of what wonders can happen when you mix tragedy with comedy. This show is a true testament to both Buckley and the women who raised him.
Dane Buckley: Darling, Pleasance Courtyard (Bunker One), until 30 Aug (not 17), 6pm, £14.50/£13.50