Millennial's Child

A comforting uncomfortable experience of an end of night conversation after a 15-year reunion - this is 'Millennial's Child'. 

As Millennials, we've all been there. Those late-night drinks with friends we've known for 20 years that might not hit the exact notes we still agree with, but those that we are willing to continue the conversation with. 'Millennial's Child' is exactly that - the outside view of a conversation between friends that have known each other before, during, and continuing on, into the big events of their lives. A continuation of teenage drinks, fifteen years later. 

Personally, I find scripted conversations between people almost uncomfortable or too drenched in tropes to be 'natural', and yet at no point in this production did I feel like I was listening to a script. Not only was the play written in a way that I felt I was listening to a conversation with people I'd known for so long, but the chemistry between the actors made you feel as though you knew the characters. There were still the different archetypes, from the restrained 'prude' to the 'nutjob conspiracy theorist' and the 'group mum' but nothing felt forced. I have no doubt in my mind that the feeling of the show was indicative of the chemistry between the actors and was drawn from real life experiences. 

There were moments that hit so close to home as someone in their mid-thirties - the failed marriage, the party girl that although being a mother never let go of her taste for vodka, and the woman who seemed like she should be missing fulfilment and yet had a quiet peace. The conversations you have with people you've seemed to know for so long, and so well, and yet still discovering new parts of life. It was reminiscent of nights of reconnection and discovery. Exactly what I've experienced after a high school reunion. 

'Millennial's Child' bored me for not a second. Perhaps it could be said it was a plot without a plot, as the show was merely a movement of character and not so much a story in the sense of archetypal heroes’ journeys. I can only speak for myself, but I found relation to every character at some point, whether a personal experience or conversation had at midnight with someone you may not have chosen to still be friends with, if not for the history. 

I can see the way the show is written being relevant to all Millennials (or even those that raised them) and although the writing may be light or comical for the most part, I unexpectedly left in tears, walking outside to send my best friend (from primary/high school) a message of love and solidarity. As a targeted demographic this light-hearted humour seemed to really tug at the heart - the ability we now have to mature and be, as I would say, 'whole ass adults' while holding on to the youth that these connections bring us. A stark reminder of the intensity of life as it has unfolded over the last twenty years. 

I laughed hard, I nodded at the references, and I sang along to Lily Allen. I honestly felt like I was a participant in a party and really felt like I wanted to add to the speech on stage. It definitely did play on the tropes of Millennials, but not in a conceited way or a way that made you feel the butt of a joke, instead it felt like an in joke that you really understood. It was laughing with you, not at you. 

The scripting, the staging, the music, the actors - honestly, perfect. It was said that this show cast itself - and that is so incredibly apparent. You're not watching strangers; you're watching people who were your friends. You're in on the conversation, as you've had it before, and you remember the moments you've shared. I wouldn't change a thing and I hope that this ensemble takes this show far and wide as I know it will resonate.

Simon Denver's words, executed by Caitie Alice, Riley Scott, Abby Bowyer, Ashleigh Marriott and Tom Jermyn, put on with Staged Theatre Company and Suncoast Repertory Theatre Inc at the Black Box Theatre all fit the bill. I couldn't imagine anything different. 

This show hits every point. Casting, writing, staging, lighting, music, improvisation, everything hits the nail on the head. I can see this show going far and wide, although I'm not sure it would feel the same without this cast. I would not hesitate for a second to impel anyone to see this - whether a millennial, a parent of a millennial or a friend or partner of a millennial. There is something for everyone in this show, and I cannot commend it highly enough. 5/5 deceptively potent glasses of merlot. 

Elly Elliot

Photographer: Tyraeli Langley