On paper, Adam Gwon’s Ordinary Days (2008) is a deceptively simple contemporary chamber musical: four characters and 21 songs, set against the bustling backdrop of New York City. Yet under Tyran Parke’s inspired direction, the work becomes something far richer – how small moments can alter lives, and how, amid the noise of the everyday, something extraordinary can quietly unfold.
The intimacy of fortyfivedownstairs is a gift – rather than being swallowed by spectacle, the audience leans into the delicacy of Gwon’s luminous score and the nuance of the performances. Parke, a Green Room Award-winner whose theatrical instincts are as sharp as they are compassionate, directs with thought and a purposeful hand. He allows the music and characters to breathe, crafting an experience that feels as alive and unpredictable as the city it celebrates.
At its heart are four characters whose lives, though seemingly separate, begin to overlap in unexpected ways. Deb, a tightly wound graduate student, misplaces her thesis notes and in the process collides with Warren, a hopeful and eccentric artist determined to find meaning in even the smallest details of city life.
Meanwhile, Jason and Claire, a couple in the early stages of living together, struggle to bridge the emotional distance between them – Jason eager to build a future, Claire held back by the weight of a past she cannot easily share.
Bobby Fox as Jason is charismatic and deeply human, bringing warmth to a role that could easily slip into archetype. His chemistry with Sarah Morrison’s Claire is palpable, their relationship unfolding with tenderness, hesitation, and aching authenticity. Morrison, in particular, finds astonishing depth in Claire’s guarded heart, balancing humour with vulnerability in a performance that quietly devastates.
Joel Granger’s Warren is all earnest optimism, radiating joy and curiosity as he seeks meaning in the chaos. He offers a beautifully judged contrast to Melanie Bird’s Deb, who bursts onto the stage with sharp wit and frantic energy.
Bird nails every comedic beat but also surprises with moments of aching honesty, reminding us that cynicism often masks longing. Together, the quartet form a perfect ensemble – each distinct, yet interconnected in ways that resonate profoundly.
The production’s creative team amplifies the story’s intimacy with remarkable cohesion. Musical Director Vicky Jacobs guides the score with clarity and soul, ensuring every lyric lands with emotional truth. Richard Roberts’ set is minimalist but evocative, conjuring New York’s restless hum while leaving room for the audience’s imagination.
Gavan Swift’s lighting shifts effortlessly from soft introspection to the shimmer of the city skyline. Louisa Fitzgerald’s costumes subtly anchor each character in their world, while Jack Scandrett’s sound design achieves a terrific balance – immersive without ever being overwhelming.
Honest, funny and deeply moving, Ordinary Days is the kind of show that sneaks up on you – making you laugh, then quietly breaking your heart, then sends you back into the night with renewed sense of the world outside.
Ordinary Days
fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Performance: Thursday 21 August 2025
Season continues to 31 August 2025
Bookings: www.fortyfivedownstairs.com.au
For more information, visit: www.clovellyfox.com for details.
Images: Bobby Fox, Joel Granger, Melanie Bird and Sarah Morrison in Ordinary Days – photo by Ben Fon | Joel Granger and Melanie Bird in Ordinary Days – photo by Ben Fon | Sarah Morrison and Bobby Fox in Ordinary Days – photo by Ben Fon | Bobby Fox, Sarah Morrison, Joel Granger and Melanie Bird in Ordinary Days – photo by Ben Fon
Review: Rohan Shearn