Set against a backdrop of Melbourne ‘Sharpie’ subculture, Cracked Actors Theatre presents Bill Marshall’s The Wild Nights of Youth at the Power House on the Lake this November & December.
It’s 1972, the spectre of war in Vietnam hangs over teenagers’ entry to adulthood with conscription a dark reality. The nation was on the brink of the electing the Whitlam Government.
As such tumultuous events occurred across the world, suburban home life continued. Across the city, in laneways and pubs, a uniquely Melbournian subculture known as ‘Sharpies’ ruled.
Precocious teenagers & wannabe poets/sharpies, Adam Pescado and his unwholesomely close friend Cliff Marr are loose on the streets.
Winner of CAT’s Summer Reading 2021, The Wild Nights of Youth is a slice in the life of a pair of best friends, whose toxic ‘bromance’ leads to excitement, hilarity, mental breakdown and betrayal.
Director Matthew Richard Walsh made the design decision to set the play in the ‘Sharpie’ world saying, “our ‘cultural cringe’ has caused us to shy away from these types of characters, but they define a huge part of our urban history.”
Playwright, Bill Marshall is no stranger to Melbourne subculture. He founded the Festival of Surrealisms in the early 80s and has had his plays produced at nearly every Indy venue in town over his 35 year plus career.
Writing from his own experiences, his wonderful characters and ability to take audience from tears to fits of laughter makes every offering a thoroughly entertaining and thought-provoking adventure.
The Wild Nights of Youth
Cracked Actors Theatre (CAT) – Power House on the Lake, 34 Lakeside Drive, Albert Park
Season continues to 4 December 2022
Information and Bookings: www.trybooking.com
Image: The Wild Nights of Youth (supplied)
Note: This play contains adult concepts, coarse language, drug references, smoke effects, suicide references, sexual assault references, references to child abuse, themes surrounding mental illness, racism, homophobia, sexism, ableism and loud music. This play is set in 1972.