A Beautiful and Bittersweet Tale: Omari Douglas Shines in Lavender, Hyacinth, Violet, Yew

Unpacking loss in Coral Wylie's first play

"Everything comes from something else passing on," Duncan muses in a moment that truly hits home in Coral Wylie's stunning debut, *Lavender, Hyacinth, Violet, Yew*. This idea threads through Wylie's entire piece, reaching far beyond gardening as a mere act—here, it's a radical act that symbolizes rebirth and regeneration. Just as vibrant blooms rise from what once wilted, we, too, can find new beginnings on life's tougher paths.

Navigating grief and self-discovery

Omari Douglas, familiar from *It's A Sin* and *Black Doves*, breathes life and wit (and a good dose at that) back in Duncan. We're thrust two decades past Duncan's heartbreaking death from AIDS in 2013, where his closest friends, Lorine and Craig—played with grace by Pooky Quesnel and Wil Johnson—are enveloped in a quiet, pervasive sadness.

Enter Pip, their 19-year-old, portrayed by Wylie themself, who's embraced a non-binary identity and yearns deeply, as most teens do, but with an added layer. Their supportive parents stand by, yet Pip seeks something more profound. "I want my femininity like a man can have his. I want that corset, those jeans, with a rockstar vibe—not like some kid who just stumbled upon *Gentleman Jack*," Pip pens in their journal. Through Pip's eyes, Wylie masterfully navigates queerness with a genuine, sharp-edged humor.

Diving back in time

It all kicks off when Pip stumbles upon one artifact—a vivid ski jacket Duncan had once worn, stashed away by Craig, emotions and all, in some attic corner. Inside, Duncan's diary waits, bridging Pip and this influential queer figure tied deeply within their parents' stories. As Pip peruses, they're swept back, seeing a version where Lorine and Craig thrived, starkly different from now. The diary becomes Pip's anchor, their link not just with their family, but with a shadow who might've been their guiding star, although Duncan's passing still shadows over all.

Cultivation as a legacy

Douglas delivers a beautifully layered performance, depicting a man tangled in thoughts about life and what he leaves behind—echoes familiar from his role in Russell T Davies' *It''s A Sin*. Yet, Duncan's real legacy isn't confined just within walls or memories; it's alive outdoors in every plant, a passion Craig loyally carries on. For Pip, tending these gardens symbolizes hope and bridges emotional chasms within their story, despite fading echoes. The play crescendos visually, earning its standing ovation.

Themes that resonate with humor

With Wylie's debut, we're hit with rich themes, from gay-straight friendships and paralyzing grief, through echoes from AIDS's impact on queer communities, and surfing along today's changing discourse on gender fluidity. Sure, sometimes it flirts with clichés, but Wylie infuses life and laughter, keeping us right on our toes. *Lavender, Hyacinth, Violet, Yew* promises an evocatively fresh start, hinting at an exciting creative journey ahead.

*Lavender, Hyacinth, Violet, Yew* graces London's Bush Theatre with its heartfelt tale, inviting you till March 22.

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