The Young Ones - Stage Left Theatre - Kalgoorlie

Last weekend, I travelled to Boulder (Kalgoorlie) to see the World Premiere stage production of "The Young Ones" presented by Stage Left Theatre Troupe.

WHAT A SHOW !!!  WHAT AN EXPERIENCE !!

Personally knowing most of the cast, I have to admit how will this come across with the majority of the leading characters aged approximately around the 40 year mark... I did wonder how believable were they going to be? - How could they really portray those young ones that a lot of us all grew up with on television?  They well and truly succeeded !!

The Young Ones was a popular British sitcom, first seen in 1982.  Its anarchic, offbeat humour helped bring alternative comedy to television in the 1980’s and made household names of its writers and performers. 

The hit show revolved around four undergraduate students sharing a house: violent punk rocker and total nutter Vyvyan (Adrian Edmondson), pompous anarchist and fanatical disciple of Cliff Richard, Rick (Rik Mayall), long-suffering hippie and house chef and cleaner, Neil (Nigel Planer), and the mysterious charmer and smoothie, Mike (Christopher Ryan). It also featured Alexei Sayle, who played the quartet's landlord, Jerzei Balowski,
and other members of the Balowski family.

Stage Left's director, Julian Canny adapted a number of his favourite episodes from the hit tv series with the direct approval and permission of the original writers Ben Elton, Rik Mayall and Lisa Meyer.  They also managed to obtain permission from the band Madness (through APRA) who normally have a blanket no to any Madness song being performed live - and we all know "Our House... in the middle of the street..." is synonymous with the show.

This production featured Phil van Oyen (Vyvyan), Kevin Blair (Rick), Richard Burrowes (Neil), Frank Cotter (Mike), John (JT) Taylor (Balowski), Sarah-Jayne Eeles, John Rees and Helen Blench.

Firstly I would like to say a big congratulations to Frank Cotter who came in with only 9 or so days to learn lines, movements and gelling into the show.

Out of all the characters seen on stage Vyvyan (Phil van Oyen) was utter utter fabulous as the punk Vyvyan - his performance could not be faulted - this role was made for him!!! (and to think only a few years ago, I heard this man say he would never get on stage).
Kevin Blair played the anarchist Rick and was totally bwilliant!... the manarisms and portrayal from both of these performers were outstanding! Richard Burrowes as the suffering hippie Neil was far from 'boring' and very believable - he must be sooo sick of lentils and being pushed around!!!!  Unfortunately Richard's wig had been a bit of an issue, but I believe that has already been sorted out. The Mad House band were a great addition too along with a special appearance by Cliff himself.

The special effects were fast and furious!!  A huge team effort from all involved, back stage never rested, front of house punks and hippie ushers... one of my favourite things about Stage Left is from the moment you walk through the entrance, the show and experience begins immediately, and is not limited to the stage and auditorium.  The foyer is a buzz !! 

Before the show commences and everyone is happily chatting and gathered in the foyer at the Stage Left duck pond (bar), enjoying the good ol 80s vinyl playing on the dusty record player and having experienced possibly every Cliff Richard photo that may ever exist...  charismatic Jo appears with her hard hat and announces that construction has been completed on the stage and for all to enter (last one in does the dishes)... you enter the auditorium, and this is an auditorium like no other - a potty to collect money for the poor/rent, clothes hanging from the cieling and 16 out of date and worn lounge suites are our seating.... the efforts that Stage Left go to is awe inspiring. 

The mess created from this stage production is enormous... mountains of smashed crockery every night, lentils, goo, gunk - you name it !!!  With such a tightly run show, the clean up process after would have to be insane - but all have their duties and what one would think is impossible to do after witnessing all the insane damage, the set and stage are put back together for the next performance - and this set really falls to pieces to each night!!!

So much thought and effort went into this production - bravo and kudos to all !!!

I can guarantee this season is going to be not only an incredible success, but will be sold out !!!  It's on again this weekend and concludes on April 4th... I watched Fri, Sat and the Sun matinee last weekend and yes I'm going back for the last weekend to be an usher hippie and watch the show all over again... it's a very rare day that this girl wants to go back and see a show over and over, it's also a very rare day that I will write a review !... :-)

You may or may not be able to make it to Kalgoorlie to see this show... if you can make it - you are guaranteed a lot of laughs and severe inspiration... you can also go to my website www.tazentertainment.com.au and click on The Young Ones poster for all the show info and see some fun vision and listen to an interview or two.