The Young Ones

‘The Young Ones’ was presented at Kalamunda Arts Centre on Saturday 15^th August, being the World’s first major theatre production of this play. Treasured memories of the past are often best left untouched, so it was with great trepidation that I went to see The Stage Left Theatre Troupe’s adaptation.  The cast, faced with an almost instant full house, were forced to put on an extra show on Saturday afternoon, after having had a rehearsal in the morning! Three extremely active shows in one day and yet by 11.00 in the evening, the cast were still in top form.

          It is a new morning in the repulsively grotty flat of the students of Scumbag College. Long haired, peace loving Neil (Richard Burrowes) has just prepared yet another pot of lentils, for breakfast – or should that be dinner? As it is now 2.00 in the afternoon. Rick (Kevin Blair), with his spoilt pouting mouth and rotating pelvis, relates his latest piece of poetry to Vyvyan (Phil van Oyen) who has just entered the kitchen through a wall! The fourth flat member, Mike (Frank Cotter), counts out his cornflakes in search of his love status for the day.
         Then enters landlord Jerzei Balowski (John ‘JT’ Taylor), a character probably based on the UK extortionist Peter Rachman, who has no feelings for his tenants. Shot gun in his hand he exerts his power and a huge amount of laughs.
        The boys have unwanted visits from Vyvyan and Neil’s mothers (Helen Blench and Sarah Jayne Eales) and the four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
        In a brief dream sequence, the boys see themselves as children (what a fantastic bunch of young actors, they really got into the spirit of the show – sorry no names available, but they deserve a credit).
        Rick’s hero, ‘Cliff Richard’, and Madness (Kalgoorlie’s ‘Mad House’ band, with singer Brett Thomas) gave a few energy-filled musical breaks.

Since the series of ‘The Young Ones’ first came out on BBC TV in 1982, there has been nothing even slightly similar in comedy, style or delivery. The writers, naturally, have been worried that by releasing a stage version, any portrayal of their cherished characters could be disastrous. Well, after smooth talking by Lisa van Oyen to the three playwrights, Rik Mayall, Lise Mayer and Ben Elton (our new WA resident), a script was released and this Kalgoorlie team was given first chance to perform it. Melanie DeCull, discovered this gem of a show whist on holiday in Kalgoorlie, and with a huge amount of work brought it down to Perth.

This show is mainly visual, such as the slow, but systematic, demolition of the flat. The many surprises and well-synchronised effects (Rod Wilson) and the clever set structure design (Peter Canny) allowed the astonishing happenings to take place. Kylie Pettit’s props had to be seen to be believed – a two metre ham sandwich!

The quality sound (Katie Manns) and lighting design (Aaron Stafford) all had to be set up at short notice after the team’s 640 kilometre journey.

This show was a rare ‘COMPLETE’ production. The programme, promotion, stage management and even the punk usherette! Everything had been thought out perfectly.
Well, was I disappointed with the characters portrayed here, compared to the real TV personalities? Not in the slightest, I am sure that both Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson would have been blown away with the work that had gone into Kevin and Phil’s capturing their delivery. Backed by a manic but unique cast, the audience loved it. Director Julian Canny must have demanded accuracy and he certainly got it.

Stage Left’s motto is to ‘take theatre to the people’. Given the chance this team could tour Australia and have house full signs everywhere. Brilliant.

Well written and well deserved. Go Stage Left!!!

Spot on; Gordon, We had a fantastic weekend with the stage left guys and and throughly enjoyed the show...looking forward to going to Kal and seeing Disco Inferno in October.

It's a tough call. I went along to see this version of the 'first time' on stage production of ‘The young ones’ and was blown away by the set. I truly believe that the set was good and destroyed as 'The Young Ones' did in the early eighties. However, I’m not one to cause negativity on productions that are first a television series and then adapted to stage. One tends to go to a production expecting a reproduction of the original. Vivian caught the mannerisms’ of the character, but slipped in and out. I thought Rik was wrong. Rik’s character is full of energy, even when Rik isn’t speaking, he is meant to be on edge and unpredictable. If you are to copy or mimic a character, one must study the character. This I felt wasn’t the case. I personally feel that the ‘Actor’ playing the character of Rik was simply out of his league. The essence of Rik is meant to be energized and totally in full focus and command the whole time. Rick Mayall who wrote the script along with Lisa and Ben intended the script to be revolved around Rik. That was the point. The comedy series really belongs to Rik. That’s what people expect. I have spoken to Nigel Planner about the days of the young ones and he quoted ‘The series was ‘Rik’. For me Rik was missing. The essence of the character Rik just wasn’t there. Certain moments mimicked –yes, but the essence wasn’t. Mike the cool person wasn’t cool, he was a wandering actor, he often followed his fellow actors around the set, and instead he should have just sat down and been ‘cool’. His accent didn’t help. He didn’t sound like he was from south east London. He portrayed him in a fine Australian way, Which isn’t Mike. Mike is meant to be shifty, quick witted and fast paced. The Mike I saw was too slow and didn’t capture the character of Mike ‘The Cool person’. The laugh lines were dropped and not pushed through enough... The actors didn’t press on the times of the early 80’s Britain. Yes, smashing up a set is fun, but we can all do that. What annoyed me most were the in jokes of Kalgoorlie and the mention of performing an amateur show, which it was. Perth audiences where left wondering what the in jokes meant. The pre-build up of the show was too much… Getting the president of the club up on stage was too much… They built the production up so much that when the show finally did start (LATE) it was like a lead balloon slowly deflating. The production itself was a brave attempt of an iconic British sitcom, but sadly it didn’t live up to its hype. To tour Australia as you say, would need drastic changes. The name itself would sell tickets. When leaving the theatre, the actors ‘still in costume’ were waiting outside to greet people, but instead of being in character, they had washed there hands of the ‘Young Ones’ and returned to their original dialect of Australia, which broke the magic of what the show was about. Sadly this didn’t work for me. Milking the audience and laughing on stage is all very well and fine, but when you know the show so well, you also know that those gags are not improvised and I was left wondering if the Actors really got the script and the context. The ques were far too slow and the pace the same. By the time the audience left the theatre it was 22.50pm. Far too long for a show that was meant to start at 20.00pm The set was great. But, to me they didn’t quite capture the essence of what it was like to live through those times as a ‘Young One’.

Many thanks to everyone in Perth who turned out in force to enjoy the show, support Stage Left Theatre Troupe's passion and drive - and ultimately, fund raising. Everyone involved gave up their own time (and in some cases income) to be there for the weekend purely to entertain you all. It was a mammoth effort - from loading the set, the props, the SFX, the costumes, wigs, flying lentils... and then getting all the people safely there and back. Incredible team work made this happen and since we only had once chance to meet and greet you all, we had to make the most of it. Thank you for all your appreciation, kind words and understanding. No one will ever be able to replace THE Young Ones (and nor should they attempt to) - it was a tribute to a fantastic show, not an effort to mimic it. Lise, Ben and Rik know and understand this and have been incredible with their support all the way through. All of them will be quick to tell you it was an ensemble piece and that many aspects of each character were included in the writing for various reasons. They did a great job writing a fantastic series, and we all know it. No one could replace that. But hey, you can't please every single person can you! Stage Left Theatre Troupe had a truly "bwilliant" time with you all. Please don't forget that "Rick" (Yes the character's name is spelt with the c - hence the jokes about the silent letter P at the start of his name), "Vyvyan", "Mike" and "Neil", along with "Balowski" and "the other three..." (lol) in various cameos... PLUS... the mini-Young Ones... were all utterly exhausted from a 600kms road trip, late nights, 12 hour days setting up (yes, we do it all ourselves, we have a no-Diva policy!) and yet they gave it their ALL once they hit that stage. That's all you can ask for :) Judging by the applause, laughter and congratulations then (and since) you all had a thoroughly lovely time in the gorgeous KPAC theatre. Thanks to Leftie member & KPAC coordinator Melz; the KPAC techies Chris, Allan and Josh; to all the Perth Lefties (Ken, Caz, Graeme and Ursula) and to all our fellow lovers of community theatre. You are all pretty amazing. "What is the single illuminating thing which shines its light on all the elements of the best parts of your life (the sound of which makes your heart sing and your feet dance)?" Answer that and then know: that is the thing you must do.

I also hasten to add public thank yous right here for the members of the MAD HOUSE BAND, two of whom were recruited in the final week from Perth, as some of our team simply couldn't make the trip. To Eliot McCann and Darren Garrod - fantastic stuff! Great work guys, we LOVED having you on board and we are so rapt you both had so much fun. Your amazing talents, generosity of spirit and time and humbleness blended wonderfully with that of the Stage Left troupe. Thank you for your enormous contribution. Keep rocking on - you are both incredibly talented (and of course good looking!) Men :) Love your work!

A very brave attempt. A lot of hard work went into this production and you could see this. The set itself and the destruction of it was fantastic. Viv was great, Rik tried extremely hard to capture the character. Neil was good and Mike was far too removed from being cool. Of course this is just my opinion. I am glad I went along to see this well publisised piece of theatre. As for an Australian tour - I think you would leave people walking out afterwards feeling that they didn't just get it. There was something missing. I can't quite put my finger on it...But, to me and several other theatre goers... you didn't quite get it. And yes I would be willing to try this production. Knowing Rick quite well, I'm sure he would release the rights to perform it again. When you copy a series, you have to duplicate it perfectly. Theatres in the passed have put on Fawlty Towers, Allo Allo - Some good, some not so good. A great job all round for this gold mining theatre company on all aspects of this production. TAZ promotions did an excellent job promoting this venture. The show's name would sell tickets as people have mentioned already, but I must agree 'something was missing'... Not completely, but something didn't quite click... it's like shooting at a target and missing the red circle and you just hit the outer ring... it didn't hit the mark... but there could be many factors to why... the gap in performance, lack of rehearsals, a build up of anticipation of the show... it was billed as being brilliant... and sadly I agree that funny witty lines were dropped and pushed aside... The lines written were lines to be said with the humour of what they call the early ‘Thatcher’ years.. A job well done by this theatre company. The company did a fine job,,, but let’s be honest here,,,, it lacked pace, character involvement and understanding of British humour.. Leon (Make your next step the right step)

And we can't wait to have you back in Kal! Bring the flares and platform shoes :)

Thank you Gordon also for acknowledging the children, who did a sensational job - and really blossomed through the experience. To acknowledge them - it's kudos to: Jade Aperios (Neil) Stacey van Oyen (Vyvyan) Katelyn Aperios (Mike) Kyle Blair (Rick) They only had a few short rehearsals to prepare for their little sequence and acquitted themselves extremely well. All four are members of SLAY (Stage Left Acting Youth) and during our original March season they worked front of house and chose (of their own volition) to dress up as the characters. Our Troupe is very proud of each one of them. * Their names were not listed in the original program, as the sequence at the commencement of act 2 was only included for the tour :)

Firstly I would like to personally thank Stage Left Theatre Troupe Goldfields with accepting and committing to my vision for a Perth Tour of this BWILLIANT show !! The dedication, hard work, intensive rehearsal and show season in Kalgoorlie itself and then committing to the tour logistics, schedule and performances was outstanding and the positive feedback I have personally received has been in itself overwhelming !!! I am not about to enter critiquing arguments - everyone is entitled to their own opinions - just as the director is entitled to their own interpretation and portrayal! ROYALTIES: IF anyone has a tickled interest in producing their own stage show of this iconic 80s BBC TV show you will need to discuss your intentions with TAZ Entertainment/TAZ Playwrights by emailing taz@tazentertainment.com.au for liaison with the original writers Rik Mayall, Lise Mayer and Ben Elton and the adaptor Julian Canny. Regards Melanie DeCull TAZ Entertainment Melz