Happy Birthday, Mister Deka D

Collaborating with a writer for the first time, Told by an Idiot has commissioned the acclaimed Biyi Bandele. The commissioning of this new play marks a major development for the Company and fulfils a desire to tackle a text, from a writer we have long admired.

In a place where time has stood still, Mister Deka D celebrates his birthday. A man, Trisk, and a woman, Lika, come together to confront their past, whilst doing all they can to avoid it. Meanwhile, Mister Deka D doesn't seem to realise what is taking place around him, in the same way that Trisk and Lika don't seem to notice Mister Deka D's presence.

The genesis of collaboration between Biyi Bandele and Told by an Idiot comes from a mutual fascination with storytelling. The rich vein of humour that runs through Biyi's work is a particular area that the Company wishes to explore and challenge with its own approach of mixing comedy and tragedy. Ultimately to attempt the fusion of new writing and physical theatre feels like an exciting departure and a natural progression for Told by an Idiot.

The play aims to focus as much on what is unspoken in a relationship as what is said, and creating a world where the smallest detail can prove to have the greatest resonance.

Mister Deka D celebrates his birthday in a place where time has stood still. A man and a woman come together to confront their past, whilst doing all they can to avoid it. Happy Birthday, Mister Deka D is an intense, moving and comic look at the nature of love and the effect that the past has on the present.
Commissioned by the Unity Theatre and funded by Arts Council England.

Creative team

Directed by John Wright, Writer Biyi Bandele, Designed by Naomi Wilkinson, Lighting John MacKenzie
Production Management Niall Black and Richard Stembridge

Cast Hayley Carmichael, Richard Clews, Paul Hunter

Dates

1999
5 - 6 Aug Unity Theatre, Liverpool
7 Aug Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal
10 Aug - 4 Sept Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh (Edinburgh Fringe Festival)
15 - 17 Sept Royal Exchange Studio, Manchester
18 Sept Queen's Hall, Widnes
21 Sept Weymouth College
22 Sept Hurtwood House, Dorking
23 Sept The Hawth, Crawley
24 - 25 Sept Cambridge Drama Centre
27 Sept - 2 Oct New Vic Studio, Bristol
4 - 9 Oct The Tent, Dublin Festival (Dublin Festival)
12 - 16 Oct Sheffield Crucible Studio
18 - 23 Oct Unity Theatre, Liverpool
26 - 30 Oct Gulbenkian Studio, Newcastle
4 Nov Gardner Arts Centre, Brighton
8 Nov - 4 Dec Lyric Studio Hammersmith, London

2000
16 - 21 Oct Berlin, Germany (Berliner Festspiele)

 

Reviews

Sunday Herald on Happy Birthday, Mister Deka D

A perky,quirky look at love.

The Stage on Happy Birthday, Mister Deka D

This production by Told by an Idiot is simply impeccable.

Happy Birthday, Mister Deka D

Beautifully crafted, peculiarly absorbing production from the genuinely innovative Told by an Idiot.

The Guardian on Happy Birthday, Mister Deka D

Told by an Idiot play the music of the script with uncommon delicacy.

The Independent on Happy Birthday, Mister Deka D

A miracle of stillness.

The Times on Happy Birthday, Mister Deka D

Biyi Bandele has a poetic imagination for the telling phrase and potent image.

The Metro on Happy Birthday, Mister Deka D

This is a jewel of a play.

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