Young and Hungry 2015

Overview

Everybody knows someone with one of the following: the stifle laugh, the snort laugh, the dying-seal-who-just-swallowed-a-clarinet-laugh, the diplomatic chuckle, the screaming banshee, the silent laugh or the slap-yourself-like-you’re-on-fire-laugh. Regardless of preference, all laughs were loud, proud and present throughout Young and Hungry's 2015 season of, The 21^st Narcissus and The presentation of findings from my scientific survey of the first 7500 days of my life.

Although whole-heartedly laughable and likeable, The 21^st Narcissus portrays an element of discomfort we have all, at one point or another, rubbed shoulders with. A medley of social media’s finest, Mark Zuckerberg, David Karp and Jack Dorsey would have been proud. Twitter acts as the breeding ground for obsession, Tumblr is the home of the ‘fangirl’ or ‘fanboy’ and Facebook is the only place that ‘accidentally adding a random’ (or making friends) becomes socially acceptable. Leave your pre-conceived social media conventions at home, (and love for grammar), as The 21^st Narcissus explores what it means to be human in the virtual world.

The 21^st Narcissus is just as addictive and enticing as social media and follows the exchange of three relationships. Kyle (Geordie Holibar), is introduced to us as a young boy in love with all things Avril Lavign, Cheryl Cole, cats and greek mythology, (boy this kids going far). We cringe as Kyle gives into the pressure of his Tumblr ‘friends’, revealing more and more of his body, in what is the ultimate hindrance to humanity the ‘selfie’

Three girls exchange infatuations and daily trivia in tweets polluted with hash tags, acronyms and grammar gaffes. Pigtales, dip-dyed hair and eccentric outfit choices make up the visual as the teens sit upon translucent square swings. Amber Smence (I have no idea who she is) acts as the foundation of the girl’s affections, and through her constant and colourful bursts onto the stage, we attempt to understand why anyone sane would let this pop star (and lets hope fictional character) into the country.

Adventure Time and The New Pornographers, form the bases of a beautiful friendship (and lets be honest why wouldn’t they), between, Julia (Kelly Taylor) and Jordan (Jacob Pitcher), two strangers who meet online by ‘chance’. Their awkward yet tender conversations leave the audience both smiling and smirking as we watch their 'behind the scenes' reactions and expressions.

The judgmental and charismatic chorus carries each scene through to the next with snarky comments, lip-syncing and face-paint, which warrants the return of glitter eye shadow.

For those whom can barely keep up with social media trends The 21^st Narcissus is an effort to comprehend but superbly funny, whether you understand the joke or not. For an hour of your life you will be stuck within the realities of cyber space and all it entails. The 21^st Narcissus will be music to you ears, or more pointedly, a screaming roller coaster of an experience similar to a bikini wax, speed dating or going to the gym, all beneficial in hindsight but a little more difficult than expected.

Half an hour of rest to recover, and then it was straight into a meet and greet with the kid we all made fun of, but secretly wanted to be. Jay Thornby, played by Doug Grant, greets the audience as they make their way to their seats. Dressed in palm tree board shorts, a zip up polo and spectacular, space-age goggles that make Google Glass look boring, he was suitably kooky. Tinsel, crepe paper, a keyboard, a tin-can-epic-space-instrument and perky piano keys all set the scene for Max Casey Addison’s entrance. Max is brilliant and is played by the equally as intense, but marvellous Saraid Cameron. Max starts the show, sorry, I mean presentation, referencing a number of key characters in society who seem to have caught onto the answer to eternal life. Doctor Who characters, such as Colin Baker, Christopher Eccleston, Matt Smith and David Tennant (swoon) are among the chosen ones used as a benchmark to measure life. It is through these comparisons that the audience become aware that for the next hour and a half, they are about to learn how to live life, and live it better. All thanks to Max, and her detailed and somewhat unpredictable findings during the last 7500 days of her life.

From a Doctor Who reference that leaves the audience umming and ahhing in agreement, the presentation spirals into a musical distraction that outlines the general guidelines of the presentation. This is followed by an introduction of the ‘secondary’ characters, who are as Max reluctantly informs us, necessary for a socially acceptable and stimulating viewing experience. A brother, a friend, and a later revealed unrequited love interest, are introduced to the audience and form the basis of Max’s findings concerning family, friendship, love, and all things life. Special note also needs to be given to Bill Hyde, the endearing stagehand, whose dedication to the safety and comfort of the audience and attempted smooth running of the presentation must be applauded.

The rest of the presentation is a mastermind mix of wit, chaos and a subtle seriousness that in desperation reminds us that time is indeed running out. There is also a fair amount of dancing, which consisted of shoulder shimmies, knobbly knees and a banana shaped maraca. Max endeavours to present her rehearsed findings, but with an interruption from a former friend/lover/social experiment, everything begins to hit the fan. With an explosion of tinsel, paper and a collection of stuff, a seemingly educational experience turns into a reality check. Teaching us that even with the best intentions, instructions and experience, the majority of us still have no idea what the hell we are doing here.

Definitely a comedy but almost a drama and almost a tragedy, Usther Dean's The presentation of findings from my scientific survey of the first 7500 days of my life is not to be missed. All actors and actresses were entirely dedicated to, and convincing as their characters. Not a single fault can be found, and the entire performance seemed to go off without a hitch, well, without any unplanned hitches. Be it the laugh, chuckle, giggle, titter, snicker, guffaw or snort that you claim as your own, head down to The Basement Theatre and have high expectations, as they will be exceeded.

Photo credit: Alex Plumb