Photo credit: Floyd Perrin
The first thing that needs to be said about See You Next Tuesday is a big statement – this is hands down one of the best shows I have ever seen at The Blue Room. It’s novel in so many ways, able to be adapted in many different directions, and I can imagine it having a long and colourful life.
Evie is a young woman saddled with all the problems of modern teendom, except Evie has way more sass, nous and wisdom than most of us ever did, and it’s beautiful to behold. Seventeen year old Evie loves algebra, hates it when people skip foreplay, and never sleeps with the same guy twice.
The messy failures (and even messier successes) of puberty are laid bare in this 70 minute roller coaster of a show. We’re talking hormones, smartphones, and really big feelings.
Ramiah Alcantara, Caitlyn McFeat and Tess Metcalf do a stellar job playing both the many voices of Evie, and the few other characters that slide intermittently into Evie’s world. Using the three performers to convey one person’s thought processes is nothing short of genius; it nicely captures the rapidity of decisions and complexity of every little action we take. It’s messy and confronting at first, but as it is repeated, and the audience becomes more comfortable with the arrangement, it quickly becomes a joy to watch.
The three actors are delightful and each bring different aspects to the character. Again, compared to usual Blue Room offerings this acting is off the charts, and easily rivals (and tops) that of many casts in recent State Theatre offerings.
Rhiannon Peterson’s scenography made smart use of available space and allowed the performers various no fuss resting and conversation points. The scene changes where the girls swapped or added clothing items were a little lengthy, clunky and somewhat unnecessary, but were also a successful device in literally showing the ‘reveal’ of the protagonist.
The main strength of See You Next Tuesday is how astutely this little beast is written. Writer and producer Sam Nerida has crafted a quick witted, insightful script that is deftly filtered through the three performers. The hurry and scatter of pre-adult thoughts is completely endearing and at times makes you not want to breathe or blink in case you miss a beat. Nerida is definitely one to watch out for and I for one will happily go and see any future production with her name attached.
See You Next Tuesday is somewhat of an anomaly; the theatre world is full of shows for adults and children, yet rarely do you see a production where the focal point is a young adult, which makes little to no sense as the enormous success of YA movies and literature proves the size and strength of that audience. This production can easily be shrunk or expanded in order to tour to schools or play larger rooms, and is full of interesting and relevant observations concerning today’s youths, parents and communities.
This brash three-hander is in your face, coarse and oh so clever. It will leave you with a smile on your dial and a clear memory (however long ago it may have been) of the depth and frivolity of teenage yearnings, angst and all the pain and happiness that went with wearing your heart on your sleeve. Get thee to the theatre, and take your mum and your grandma with you – we were all Evies once. For the older ones it’s a fun romp down memory lane, and for the YA’s among us, a great (if blunt) learning tool about life, love and really big feelings.
4 ½ stars: ★★★★☆
See You Next Tuesday
Presented by The Blue Room Theatre & Static Drive Co.
Writer & Producer: Samantha Nerida
Director: Alexa Taylor
Scenographer: Rhiannon Petersen
Lighting Designer & Operator: Jasmine Lifford
Sound Designer: Sakidasumi
Performers: Caitlin McFeat, Ramiah Alcantara and Tess Metcalf
The Blue Room Theatre, Northbridge, Perth
18 June – 6 July 2019
