The subject of how young people these days are responding to living in a highly sophisticated, high tech world is not only of interest to social commentators such as Hugh Mackay but also generates great interest, concern and debate within the general community.
It is a topic that begs cries out for much theatrical exploration and it is great to see Version 1.0 and actors from the Australian Theatre For Young People (ATYP) coming together to devise and perform their piece, aptly titled THE TENDER AGE, in a brief season at Eveleigh’s Carriageworks.
Co-directors David Williams and Fraser Corfield, together with the ATYP performers– have come up with a raw, sometimes explosive and at other times very sensitive take on the subject.
THE TENDER AGE straight away takes us into the world of today’s teenagers. The set features multiple video screens mounted high up and apple laptops on desks spread around the stage.
We watch a group of young people partying, with lots of flirting, alcohol, drugs, tweeting and photo taking going on. The music- hip hop music- is up way too loud.
Through the narrative we get to find out their personal stories and issues- concerns about their status on Facebook, what personal pictures have gone viral, the latest conflicts they are having their parents…
There is also audience involvement with the performers asking for members of the audience to text them with their latest photos to be put up on the big screens.
In one scene, many of the teens came up with their personal lists of things that they have done which they wouldn’t dare tell their parents. Another scene graphically depicts binge drinking, with the teens methodically lining up their Cruiser drinks in spirit glasses and then sculling them.
The centerpiece of the narrative is a re-staging of the infamous radio segment, going back to July 2009, that took place on Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O’s breakfast show when a 14 year old girl, after bullying, prying questions from her mother, announced that she had been raped as a twelve year old.
The piece was performed with plenty of vitality and thought put into it. There was a workshop, loose, unpolished feel to the production which is usual for a group devised work.
Verdict. It was inspiring to see young writers and performers tacking such a contentious topic. May it encourage further debate and discourse within the theatre community!
A Carriageworks presentation of a Version 1.0 and Australian Theatre For Young People production, THE TENDER AGE played at Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh from 22nd August to the 1st September, 2012
© David Kary
31 August, 2012.
Tags: Sydney Theatre Reviews- THE TENDER AGE, Carriageworks, David Williams, Fraser Corfield, Version 1.0, Marguerite Assat, Valerie Berry, Deng Akot Deng, Shaun Foley, Molly Haddon, Jane Phegan, Saskia Roberts, Angela Tran, Sydney Arts Guide, David Kary