Cracked Actors Theatre (CAT)
Presents
“The Wild Nights of Youth”
CAT continues to bring new Australian Plays to the stage
Spring|14 November 2022
Set against a backdrop of Melbourne ‘Sharpie’ subculture in 1972, precocious teenagers & wannabe poets/sharpies, Adam Pescado & his unwholesomely close friend Cliff Marr are on the loose on the streets in Cracked Actors production of ‘The Wild Nights of Youth’ by Bill Marshall, winner of CAT’s Summer Reading 2021. In 1972 the Spectre of war in Vietnam hung over teenagers’ entry to adulthood with conscription a dark reality. The nation was on the brink of electing the Whitlam Government. As such tumultuous events occurred in the world, in suburban homes life continued and, in the laneways, and pubs a uniquely Melbournian subculture known as ‘Sharpies’ ruled. 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 his ability to take the audience from tears to fits of laughter makes every offering a thoroughly entertaining and thought-provoking adventure.
“All credit must be given to Cracked Actors Theatre (CAT) for supporting and developing new Australian content.” Nick Pilgrim, Theatre People
Content Warnings: 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.
Produced by Cracked Actors
Photos by Joshua Lee
