We are in New York City in March 1982, specifically in the apartment of 21-year-old Dennis Ziegler (Amir Antoine) that his wealthy, noted painter father bought for him. Dennis has tickets on himself. A bully, he angers quickly. He has just had a significant bust up with his girlfriend, Valerie (who we don’t meet). Dennis’ friend, Warren Straub (Lachlan Herring), 19, a stoner, is one of those he pushes around, frequently insults, and, even, beats up. While watching TV, much to Dennis’ annoyance, Warren shows up.
He has just been kicked out of his house, but before he left, he stole $15,000 from his abusive, lingerie tycoon father. After paying Dennis the $200 that he owes him, Warren and Dennis consider ways to spend at least part of the money. Mind you, Dennis is wise to the fact that Warren’s father, Jason (who we also don’t meet), who has criminal connections, won’t appreciate the boosting of his cash. Recognising that Jason knows that he, Dennis, is good friends with Warren, Dennis fears he, too, may incur the full weight of Jason’s wrath.
Still, the pair who smoke “good” weed that Warren brought with him, determine they will use part of the haul to buy some cocaine. Dennis, who reluctantly agrees to let Warren stay with him for two days, reckons he can on-sell the blow, make a profit, and then have Warren return the stolen money.
Meanwhile, Warren, who has never had sex, and is attracted to Vanessa’s friend Jessica (Emily O’Brien), 19, is about to get lucky. While Dennis is out, Jessica, who lives with her mum and studies fashion, turns up at Dennis’ door. She is prickly, defensive and anxious, but clearly warms to Warren and is definitely interested in him. That’s when Warren decides that to “do the deed”, he will use part of the money he has pilfered to take Jessica to a swish hotel and order some bubbly to share.
Given what I have just outlined, what could possibly go wrong? Plenty. And it does. These guys are major screw ups, who, along with Jessica, are just trying to navigate their passage into adulthood. So it is that This Is Our Youth is a very talk-driven, argumentative, coming-of-age tale by American dramatist Kenneth Lonergan. It premiered off Broadway in October 1996.
There is a manic quality about all three characters, which the actors seize and exploit. I got the feeling that Dennis, Warren and Jessica (especially Dennis) could all benefit from therapy. So, on the one hand, plaudits to the playwright for crafting the work – set during the Reagan era – that way. Still, for all the humour and the high jinks, I didn’t totally warm to what I was seeing. Although Lonergan’s breakout play received widespread critical acclaim, at two hours plus interval the material felt stretched to me. The phrases “much ado about nothing” and “just get on with it” popped into my mind while I was sitting there watching.
All three actors readily get into their largely jittery characterisations. They are able to project the respective peccadilloes of their charges most effectively. The smoothest delivery is left to Lachlan Herring and Emily O’Brien. On opening night, with his fast-paced dialogue, Amir Antoine dropped a few lines, but I am confident he will clean that up as the season progresses.
Ashley Reid has developed a set that readily resonates. I speak of a typical, messy, small, young adult apartment, complete with bathroom, kitchen, double bed and small, old-style TV. Casual wear for the boys and more fashionable attire for Jessica from costume designer Perrie Taylor also hits the mark. And the offering is lifted by Gabe Bethune’s lighting design and the soundscape from Julian Smith-Gard. The slice of life period piece is strongly directed by Maeve Hook, who helps bring a sense of urgency to the material.
This Is Our Youth well captures a bygone time and place. I was simply looking for more substance, but this isn’t that sort of play. It is on at fortyfivedownstairs until 15th November, 2026.
Alex First
Other reviews you might enjoy:
- Ordinary Days (fortyfivedownstairs) – musical theatre review
- Soul of Possum, at fortyfivedownstairs – theatre review
- Nothing (fortyfivedownstairs) – theatre review
Alex First is the editor of The Blurb. Alex is a Melbourne based journalist and communications specialist. He also contributes to The Blurb on film and theatre.