A fast-paced, music-fueled, no-holds-barred depression comedy experience.
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Poignant, unpretentious and uplifting,
STILL HERE is a little show with a whole heap of heart.
STILL HERE is a little show with a whole heap of heart.
Theatre Travels - The Butterfly Club, Melbourne
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
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.
M.P, Kundalini Yoga House - The Wesley Ann, Melbourne
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
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!
M.J. - Jetty Theatre, Coffs Harbour
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
STILL HERE is raw, funny and deeply moving, with cracking original songs.
A moving and relatable piece of theatre about mental health.
A moving and relatable piece of theatre about mental health.
Samantha, Loss & Grief Community Education Manager - The Wesley Ann, Melbourne
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
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 trauma and took her own life. This performance is a must see!
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 trauma and took her own life. This performance is a must see!
Julia, Police PCYC - 303 Venue, Melbourne
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
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 boldly unpacks mental illness. It is funny and hopeful and inspiring storytelling at its finest.
C.V. - 303 Venue, Melbourne
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
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.
M.P. - Narooma, NSW
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
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.
J Marcus, Principal - Byron Bay High School
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 0
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
|
|
SHOW PREVIEW REEL - Byron Bay Theatre, Australia, May 2024
Photos/poster by Alisha Doherty
STILL HERE by Dave & the Daves
Written & performed by Dave Houston
‘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 mental health 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 25 original professional productions and over 30 community theatre works.
‘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 mental health 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 25 original professional productions and over 30 community theatre works.
AVAILABLE AFTER THE SHOW
STILL HERE - Post-show Merrigingi 'to turn ones spirit around' - Bundjalung language
This is essential a Mental Health & Recovery Forum - available after the show. It must include catering.
A post-show Merrigingi invites audience members to reflect, share, or simply listen. It’s a space for honest storytelling, collective care, and turning toward healing — together. We open up some of the tough but necessary conversations raised in the show: suicide and suicide prevention, protective factors for mental health, medication and meditation, mindfulness, and recovery.
At times, I’m joined by local mental health professionals and community partners, including Hey Mate, headspace, Regional Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) and other local mental health service providers. These conversations offer meaningful pathways to connection — especially for service-adverse people in crisis — by linking people with trusted support and resources in their community.
This post-show Merrigingi is at the heart of what we do — creating spaces that allow difficult conversations on suicide, keeping people safe, connected, and ultimately, alive. It’s a small but vital act of 'turning ones spirit and life around' — toward connection, healing, and life.
A post-show Merrigingi invites audience members to reflect, share, or simply listen. It’s a space for honest storytelling, collective care, and turning toward healing — together. We open up some of the tough but necessary conversations raised in the show: suicide and suicide prevention, protective factors for mental health, medication and meditation, mindfulness, and recovery.
At times, I’m joined by local mental health professionals and community partners, including Hey Mate, headspace, Regional Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) and other local mental health service providers. These conversations offer meaningful pathways to connection — especially for service-adverse people in crisis — by linking people with trusted support and resources in their community.
This post-show Merrigingi is at the heart of what we do — creating spaces that allow difficult conversations on suicide, keeping people safe, connected, and ultimately, alive. It’s a small but vital act of 'turning ones spirit and life around' — toward connection, healing, and life.