So Young

Douglas Maxwell has built a strong reputation as one of Scotland’s most successful playwrights.

Now, Ainslie McGlynn, Jeremy Waters, Henry Nixon and Aisha Aidara bring Maxwell’s comedic four hander ‘So Young’ to the Old Fitz for its Australian premiere for Outhouse Theatre Co.

‘So Young’ won the Best New Play at the annual Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland with its funny and heartfelt portrayal of facing the future while the scars of the covid pandemic are still healing.

Sydney’s a long way from Glasgow. The four actors performing So Young had no way of knowing there was a Scots native that lived for years in Glasgow hiding at the back of the audience. I’m happy to report that Outhouse Theatre Co’s new production wouldn’t be out of place in the Tron, the Traverse or Oran Mor’s a Play, a Pie and a Pint.

Sam O’Sullivan’s clean and realistic direction wastes nothing. The text is timed exquisitely, making great use of Maxwell’s pauses for comic effect. Lighting design by Aron Murry supports the realism using changes and specials to assist the settings of place and time. Set by Kate Beere is detailed and homely, with a warmth created by an autumnal colour palette. Lamps, books and records adorn and enhance the ‘lived in’ feel.

Greta: “This is my world – it’s mine for the taking and I’m taking it!”

The acting walks the line of heightened drama and comedy with precision. Aisha Aidara is warm, vibrant and kind as “Greta”. Ainslie McGlynn shows great range as “Liane” battling change and grief, as does Henry Nixon as Milo – but with stoicism and Vesuvian anger. Jeremy Waters is thoroughly watchable as “Davie” – working the text with aplomb.

It’s a risky endeavour to take on a Glasgow accent. For a comparatively wee city there’s a wide variety of accents and throw in some Scots words and you’re playing with fireworks. Hats off to Linda Nicholls-Gidley for coaching the cast to succeed in sounding Glaswegian, while keeping it easily accessible for a Sydney audience, and only occasionally stray west toward Ireland.

At one point Maxwell namechecks Scots authors Iain Banks and Irvine Welsh. So Young’s comedy is not nearly as dark as Banks or Welsh. This is a Glasgow of middle-aged teachers and graphic artists. They drink white wine instead of Buckfast and Irn Bru.

The audience clearly loved it, laughing happily throughout, with a few tears shed in the final act.

To book tickets to So Young, please visit https://www.oldfitztheatre.com.au/so-young.

Photographer: Richard Farland

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