Davie Marshall’s one foot in the past attitude keeps barbs in constant reminder of the history. Davie was barbs friend, not only her ex-husband. His love of sixties music was evident throughout the whole play. The artists and lyrics of the songs, give out a strong feeling of living in the past. Bringing the audience in and making them remember. When Davie brought up a record for barbs the sentimental values for Davie was obviously much stronger, Davie had remembered she had liked them. “Plus…I brung you up some classic vinyl” “you loved thame.” The birthday present that Davie brought for barbs was also a blast from the past, a ‘startrite’ poster. It was a reminder of their days of the 1950’s, and a forgotten treasure of the past that the audience will remember.
The unplanned pregnancy that Alice ingles had at 16 was dealt with in direct relation to society’s perceptions of teenage pregnancy. Alice was sent away to have her baby and get it adopted. This situation was common in the 60’s “I didn’t want a baby, I wanted a life” the audience are bound to know someone or know someone who knows someone that this happened to. It is a strong reminder of the way society used to be. Alice ingles grew up to be a traditional housewife, not at all like her modern day friend barbs, an image conscious strong businesswoman. Alice was very straight and didn’t make a fuss of her appearance. Woman In the audience could reflect and relate to her traditional, single-minded ways.
To make a play nostalgic you need all the right costumes and props to conjure up the feelings and emotions of nostalgia. One fantastic prop was the ‘cup of tea’ it has the ability to make things better. It has the ability to make people remember times when they had a ‘wee cup’ to drown sorrows or for comforting security. “I think I’ll go through and put the kettle on, Barbs’ll mibbe prefer a wee cup of tea.” The costumes are also very important, the right jumper or shoes can bring you down memory lane, Sadie Kirkwood’s smartly dressed appearance adds to the effect of her character, bringing the reminiscence of her era. Davie marshal’s costume gives a lot away about his attitude towards growing older. When Davie visited barbs to give her a birthday present he had changed his image and haircut. “ach it was time, I thought to myself I don’t to look like wan of they sad bastards. The auld baldy wasns wi the scraggy wee ponytails…” this shows that he has come to the realisation that times have changed. Although you don’t see Davie before his transformation, you get the impression that he used to be quite unfashionable with a dated haircut. “I wouldn’t of recognised you, you look great” this is a nostalgic situation because many people get to a certain age, and decide to change their image and move on from the past.
Liz lochead has created a well-crafted play, with many nostalgic moments. The brilliant thing about Liz lochhead is that she manages to make people laugh at themselves, while laughing at the characters. The situations in ‘perfect days’ are so true to life. The audience see elements of themselves and people they know in her characters. This is a massive appeal to an audience. Making them enjoy the play much more.
