Nestled beneath the hustle and bustle of Melbourne at peak hour, tucked away underground in the cosy walls of fortyfivedownstairs, we huddled together in the warmth for the opening night of Ordinary Days. It’s a musical dedicated to the little things, reimagined by Clovelly Fox Productions, one of Melbourne’s most exciting new theatre companies.
Before the show, we were greeted by the company’s Artistic Director, Tyran Parke. He gave a brief but inspiring introduction to the musical, dwelling on the importance of creating with intention. His bubbly energy set the tone perfectly for what we were about to see: a story about community, hope and a reminder to find your daily dose of magic.
Ordinary Days is an intimate chamber musical written by Adam Gwon, and follows Deb (Melanie Bird) as she crosses paths with Warren, Claire, and Jason (Joel Granger, Sarah Morrison and Bobby Fox), as their relationships hit a crossroads.
Set designer Richard Roberts fills the stage with desks and laptops to remind the audience of the late 2000s era in which the show is set. There are boxes that require unpacking. The theatre is the perfect backdrop for a show like this. The exposed brick and large windows make us feel like we’re in someone’s deeply lived-in and overpriced New York City apartment.
The musical starts with the cast of four scattered across the stage, each in their own bubble. It’s a beautiful contrast to the interconnected pairings that bind them by the end of the story.
As Warren, Joel Granger opens with a manic optimism that hurls the show into motion. He’s a perfect counterpoint to Melanie Bird as Deb, an anxiety-riddled Uni student determined to make something of herself.
I related a lot to Deb’s character and love how Bird harmonises her light and shade. She has fantastic comedic timing and a stunning voice that works to brings the audience into her world. She shows us someone who never feels good enough for her dreams.
Together, Bird and Granger have a fabulous dynamic. The bubble they create for their characters reminds me of the worlds of Jonathan Larson (particularly Tick, Tick… Boom!). I love how their characters work together, interrogating the idea that nothing is set in stone, a scary notion, only if you let the fear in.
There’s a focus on the space between us, an invisible border created only by the audience as a defence mechanism. I love the way Sarah Morrison tackles this. She performs her heartbreaking song with such bittersweet intensity as we see Claire’s walls eventually come down. Morrison’s voice is incredible, packed with the pain of realising it’s time to move on. Her eyes are glassy as she wears her heart on her sleeve for the first time.
As Jason, Bobby Fox ties the storylines together with such professional ease. His use of physicality and interaction with the staging is just so dynamic to watch.
The pared-back piano accompaniment at times feels a bit repetitive. However, it provides the perfect backdrop for some stellar vocal performances and allows the audience to take in Gwon’s cleverly written lyrics. At multiple times, as a character was singing, I found myself making a mental note to write down the lyrics afterwards.
The music is bright and the climax is colourful and full of heart. It’s a huge credit to director Parke and Musical Director Vicky Jacobs, who have clearly nurtured these performances rich with soul. In anyone else’s hands, this story could have felt cheesy or superficial. Instead, my cheeks hurt from smiling so much.
Ordinary Days is a hopeful story about the everyday things that make our lives special. It’s a reminder to take a breath of calm and reframe the journey to your dreams as a marathon, not a sprint. Ordinary Days takes a look at the micro details in our world and finds beauty in all of them.
And in the hands of Clovelly Fox Productions, those little moments feel even bigger. It’s a gentle but powerful reminder that in a city as restless as Melbourne, sometimes it’s the quietest stories that stay with us the longest.
Ordinary Days is presented by Clovelly Fox Productions and runs to 31 August at fortyfivedownstairs. 45 Finders Lane Melbourne Vic 3000.
Tickets: https://fortyfivedownstairs.com/event/ordinary-days/
Website: https://clovellyfox.com/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/clovellyfox/
Photo credits: Ben Fon
