Why Young Men Run at 2am

This play’s title sounds a lot more serious than the actual play. Created as part of Ad Astra’s talent pipeline ‘Astra Nova’ youth and scriptwriting programme, Why Young Men Run at 2am was written by local award-winning writer-director-actor, Pierce Gordon, after a sojourn to his local Pawn Broker’s shop. The ensuing hours-long conversation with the business owner about the challenges of running a family business, encroaching gentrification and the threats of multi-million dollar property developments inspired this witty, warm and highly entertaining comedy.

Part of the charm is the Brisbane setting and acutely funny characters with a sharp script generously smattered with laugh-out-loud one-liners. Perhaps growing up in Detroit, Pierce has an outside perspective on hearing the Aussie vernacular and witticisms. He certainly has honed his own unique take on local humour. I love it. And he has assembled a dream cast to interpret his characters. As Terry Schmidt Jr (or TJ), Lachlan Engeler is the sort of engaging performer needed for this central role. If we don’t like TJ and feel for his plight, then the story falls apart.

Lachlan Engeler

The whole production has a sit-com feel (in a good way), helped by the fact that Lachlan has three excellent performers to bounce off. Tom Coyle is utterly convincing as Schmidt’s Pawn and Laundry long-suffering co-operator, Knoll. This is a great comic performance by Tom, who I’ve seen in several Ad Astra productions. This is his best role yet. His character leaves you guessing – does he know more than he is revealing about the disappearance of his business partner, TJ’s Dad? Or is he really more concerned about the local kebab shop getting his ‘usual’ order right? There is a great gag about Knoll’s vinyl collection too. He is a unique comic character.

Tom Coyle

Caitlin Hill is delightfully daffy as Knoll’s niece, Maureen, co-opted to work in the pawn shop, but secretly dreaming of getting back to Paris where she felt happiest. It’s a balanced performance that teeters on absurd comedy but remains grounded. Once again, totally engaging, and a believable potential love interest for TJ, without the usual sit-com cliches. It’s a wonderful script when it comes to romance too.

Caitlin Hill

And, making a surprise appearance as property developer, Colleen Worthington, Aurelie Roque adds a glamorous, albeit villainous, edge to the drama. Another colourful character, and Aurelie really seems to enjoy portraying this gold-digger.

Aurelie Roque

It must be difficult to direct an interpretation of your own play, but Pierce has succeeded in gaining a well-rounded piece, no doubt helped by Assistant Director, Andy Younes. Without overplaying the situations, the cast draws you in to the fast-paced story. So much so that, in the cast and creatives Q&A after the show, one audience member asked if there will be a sequel – as we all agreed that we’d love to see these characters again in a new chapter of their story: a testament to the success of this production.

Find out more: www.adastracreativity.com/productions/why-young-men-run-at-2am

Beth Keehn