Set in Melbourne’s iconic pub in 1945 in the final weeks of World War II, Young & Jackson covers the lives of three young Navy boys and one very intriguing woman at fortyfivedownstairs for a limited season from 7 March.
Young & Jackson celebrates the fashions, the foibles, the sheer fun of being young and full of life in a time of war; when black market silk was scarce, seamed stockings were body art and young sailors risked all for a night of high jinks.
VP Day is imminent, but this fledgling four don’t know it. They just hope it will all be over soon, the Yanks will go home and all their probable futures will be made possible. And right now, there’s the high life to live…
Starring Charlie Cousins (The Doctor Blake Mysteries) as Keith, Sam Duncan (Eurydice, Red Stitch) as Les, Jacob Machin (Melbourne International Comedy Festival) as Jimmy and Gabrielle Scawthorn (Channel 7‘s The Killing Field) as the woman who will change all of their lives.
Internationally renowned, Wayne Harrison’s directing credits include Spiegelworld’s Absinthe and Empire and Andy Griffiths’ Just Macbeth! for Bell Shakespeare Theatre Company. He was the Director of Sydney Theatre Company, Creative Director of New Year’s Eve Celebrations on Sydney Harbour, and Director of the closing ceremony of the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
Designers Dann Barber and Michael Hili will bring the classical proportions of fortyfivedownstairs to life with all the wartime flavour of the famous pub, where the 19th century French nude ‘Chloe’ still resides in the upstairs bar.
Young and Jackson is the tender mischievous prequel to the award-winning comedy Codgers by the late Don Reid – a mainstay of Australian stage, film and television and founding member of Ensemble Theatre, Don was known for a host of roles in everything from TV’s Skippy to Scales of Justice to film’s Moulin Rouge! and Men’s Group.
Fittingly, the world premiere of Young & Jackson, 2015 marks the 70th anniversary of VP Day and the end of World War II and the 140th anniversary of Young & Jackson’s Hotel.
“This is an astutely observed, insightful but above all warm and heartfelt piece of theatre.” – Daily Telegraph (on Codgers)
Young & Jackson
fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Season: 7 – 22 March 2015
Information and bookings: www.fortyfivedownstairs.com
Image: (supplied)