STILL HERE by Dave & the Daves
A depression comedy that tickles the funny bone. 'Poignant, unpretentious and uplifting, 'STILL HERE is a little show with a whole heap of heart.' Theatre Travels, Butterfly Club, Melbourne, November 2023.
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Following the shows in the Northern Rivers is a Q&A with the artist and a Wellbeing Forum hosted by health professionals.
‘You’ll struggle to find a more engaging theatrical solo performer at the Fringe than Dave Houston.’ Evening News, Edinburgh Fringe Festival. |
Photos/poster by Alisha Doherty
STILL HERE BY DAVE & THE DAVES Written & performed by Dave Houston
'Houston is a master of the yarn, and the yarn must go on.' Theatre Travels, Butterfly Club.
Still Here - is raw, funny and deeply moving.' 'This show takes you on a heartfelt journey, with laughs and tears but above all else great storytelling.'
'Oh my god. You got me, you bugger. I've been on Sertraline (an antidepressant) for 6 years. I haven't cried in that time but you got me tonight. What you did up on that stage was amazing.’
‘STILL HERE by Dave & the Daves’ is more than a play; it's a 60-minute lifeline on stage that champions mental health through laughter, music, and the art of storytelling. A bit of slapstick, a healthy dose of stand-up, and a few raw truths about navigating life with depression, ‘Still Here’ is an intoxicating blend of uproarious laughter and heartfelt empathy.'
Against the background of a society where depression and suicide statistics are alarmingly high - over 9 lives are lost to suicide daily in Australia – steps Dave Houston, mixing up a hilarious brew of clowning, razor-sharp character comedy and live songs from punk to hip-hop to psyched-up folk rock.
‘Still Here’ will introduce you to a colourful tapestry of characters, fro m the showbiz master Uncle David to the charismatic hip-hop sensation Rave Dave. Meet the ever-bumbling Davo, a work-for-the-dole roadie , (Let's not forget Byron Bay life coach Darvid Uluru Crystal, stoner Davology, and street busker Davidae), and of course there's Dave with stories of drama school, depression, medication, love, loss and life.
Dave Houston, himself with a lived experience of mental health challenges has been acting and writing songs since he was 17. He took his first solo show to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, has made 6 studio albums and created theatre works for schools and festivals, performing around the world. Dave Houston bio
The show runs for 60 minutes and can play in theatres, pubs and community venues. Add ons include: a post-show Q&A, theatre making workshops. Presented by Full-On Theatre, a touring company with over 34 years of touring experience. Since it was founded in 1998 the company has created 22 original professional productions and over 30 community theatre works.
Bookings [email protected] or call 0411 71 00 81
'Houston is a master of the yarn, and the yarn must go on.' Theatre Travels, Butterfly Club.
Still Here - is raw, funny and deeply moving.' 'This show takes you on a heartfelt journey, with laughs and tears but above all else great storytelling.'
'Oh my god. You got me, you bugger. I've been on Sertraline (an antidepressant) for 6 years. I haven't cried in that time but you got me tonight. What you did up on that stage was amazing.’
‘STILL HERE by Dave & the Daves’ is more than a play; it's a 60-minute lifeline on stage that champions mental health through laughter, music, and the art of storytelling. A bit of slapstick, a healthy dose of stand-up, and a few raw truths about navigating life with depression, ‘Still Here’ is an intoxicating blend of uproarious laughter and heartfelt empathy.'
Against the background of a society where depression and suicide statistics are alarmingly high - over 9 lives are lost to suicide daily in Australia – steps Dave Houston, mixing up a hilarious brew of clowning, razor-sharp character comedy and live songs from punk to hip-hop to psyched-up folk rock.
‘Still Here’ will introduce you to a colourful tapestry of characters, fro m the showbiz master Uncle David to the charismatic hip-hop sensation Rave Dave. Meet the ever-bumbling Davo, a work-for-the-dole roadie , (Let's not forget Byron Bay life coach Darvid Uluru Crystal, stoner Davology, and street busker Davidae), and of course there's Dave with stories of drama school, depression, medication, love, loss and life.
Dave Houston, himself with a lived experience of mental health challenges has been acting and writing songs since he was 17. He took his first solo show to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, has made 6 studio albums and created theatre works for schools and festivals, performing around the world. Dave Houston bio
The show runs for 60 minutes and can play in theatres, pubs and community venues. Add ons include: a post-show Q&A, theatre making workshops. Presented by Full-On Theatre, a touring company with over 34 years of touring experience. Since it was founded in 1998 the company has created 22 original professional productions and over 30 community theatre works.
Bookings [email protected] or call 0411 71 00 81
Testimonials
'This show takes you on a heartfelt journey with laughs and tears but above all else great storytelling. An authentic experience that takes you into the world of depression and leaves you feeling enriched by it and more connected to what really matters; love, laughter & kindness.' Samantha Rennie, Loss and Grief Community Education Manager. Tobin Brothers Funerals.
Wesley Anne R U OKAY Day 8/9/22 “Part slapstick, part stand up, part brutal honesty about living with depression, with cracking original songs. A moving and relatable piece of theatre about mental health.' EG - Wesley Anne R U OKAY Day 8/9/22 'A very personal and heart filled journey that had me laughing, singing, feeling and even shedding a tear. Dave is a captivating story teller and I appreciated his willingness to be vulnerable and raw. His story is an important one that needs to be told, if only to make just one person feel less alone on their own mental health journey....but I am sure there will be many who will benefit from this show.' MP Narooma 17/9/22 'This amazing show will take you on a roller coaster of emotions! At one point I was laughing so hard I thought I might snort! At another point my heart ached as I wept for a dear friend who suffered from mental health challenges and took her own life. This performance is a must see! Dave and the Daves tell some stories that’ll really pull at the heart strings in the best possible way.' JD Narooma 17/9/22 'Still Here explains the experience of depression in a way that is real for those who have or have not experienced it. It is raw, authentic, funny and deeply moving. Something we all need to see, hear and understand to hold and heal each other. AD, Narooma 17/9/22 'Still Here by Dave and the Daves is a tender and generous show about mental health that surprisingly made me laugh, cry and reflect. The show was personal, without being uncomfortable and important, without being preachy. Next time I'll bring my teenage kids.' KL Kundalini Yoga House 9/9/22 'Dave Houston did the impossible – he made a feel good show about depression. Part funny and sad, serious and silly, the performance is based on Dave’s own experiences but through his vivid imagination, strong performance and great music, he’s turned it into theatre we can all relate to.' MP Kundalini Yoga House 9/9/22 'Oh my god. You got me you bugger. I've been on Sertraline (an antidepressant) for 6 years. I haven't cried in that time but you got me tonight. What you did up on that stage was amazing. You can use this if you want as I want as many people as possible to watch your show' MJ - Jetty Theatre, Coffs Harbour, 16/3/23 'Can I just say bloody well done. Though my jaw is a little sore from laughter.' SL - 303 Venue, Melbourne, 5/5/23 'The production Still Here by Dave & the Daves is a very clever, funny journey that explores mental health. It's messages of connection and communication, especially for boys, is clearly delivered through all the characters and songs. I highly recommend this engaging piece of theatre.' Ms Janine Marcus. Principal | Byron Bay High School 303 Venue 5/5/23 'Absolutely brilliant show, loved, laughed, cried and laughed some more and dived deep'. KB 303 Venue, 5/5/23 ' I wouldn't have thought a comedy about depression could be so uplifting. I laughed and I cried. Me and my family are unfortunately familiar with the shame, isolation and helplessness struggling with mental health can bring. Talking about it - even laughing about it - is absolutely a great way to help support those suffering, offering strategies, antidotes and an overarching message of 'you are not alone' seems vital. I've taught tertiary level students for 20 years and am absolutely certain each and every school should offer students of all ages a dose of Dave & the Daves. Erin Ender, Educator RMIT, 303 Venue 5/5/23 'Still here is an awesome show. Dave manages to make us laugh with glorious idiocy and play and then bam hit us deep in the heart and soul. It's an incredibly moving, powerful show that fearlessly unpacks mental illness. It is funny and hopeful and inspired storytelling at its finest.' CV 303 Venue 5/5/23 'I really enjoyed the show. It's a challenging topic for comedy and I thought you blended the two together really well. It was great how you used humour while at the same time building mental health awareness and helping to break down some of the stigma of mental health challenges.' Steve. The Butterfly Club, Melbourne, 17/11/23 |
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