Review: Amusing, Engaging And Insightful, IF WE GOT SOME MORE COCAINE I COULD SHOW YOU HOW I LOVE YOU Considers An Unseen Sector Of Society

Saturday 16th February 2019, 7:30pm, KXT Kings Cross

The Australian Premiere of John O'Donovan's IF WE GOT SOME MORE COCAINE I COULD SHOW YOU HOW I LOVE YOU is presented with creativity and comedy by Director Warwick Doddrell. Shining a light on a different perspective on the lives of LGBTIQ individuals, there is poignant truth behind the laughter and absurd situations.

At face value, IF WE GOT SOME MORE COCAINE I COULD SHOW YOU HOW I LOVE YOU is an amusing insight into the lives of two petty criminals on an rooftop in the small town of Ennis, County Clare, but as the 90 minutes unfold it becomes clear that this is so much more complex. The 18 year old Casey (Elijah Williams) and his best friend Mikey (Eddie Orton) have fled to the rooftop following robbing the local service station with a broken broom since Mikey can't afford to get caught by the guards again. With a pitiful haul Mikey returns to Casey's house, which they are above, to see what else he can find, knowing Casey's mother's abusive boyfriend Bobby is also the local drug dealer but after he returns with a haul of drugs and cash the boys are stuck and missing out on a party down at the local pub. Initially it appears as if the boys are just best buddies but despite Mikey's blokey posturing, tough talk and teasing about Casey's 'girlfriend', the boys are more than platonic friends but unfortunately, they live in a town where they are outcasts, beaten up if they don't hide their sexuality.

Set and Graphic Designer Jeremy Allen's slate pitched roof, complete with autumnal leaves, emerges from KXT's traverse stage. The different textures and a slight flex in the roof adds a realism as the boys move around the small area whilst the sound of items on the different surfaces heightens the tension. Orton and Williams move easily around the sloped setting as they reinforce the danger the boys are in, even though Casey and Mikey often forget the gravity of their situation and enter into boisterous behavior. The socio-economic status of the duo is easily conveyed by Stephanie Howe's costume design that reinforces that neither comes from money, particularly given Casey's cargo pants no longer serve the purpose of carrying cargo. Kelsey Kee's lighting allows the guards sirens to be accompanied by flashing lights from below the eaves whilst the festive fireworks are presented with washes of color illuminating the boys faces.

Whilst Sydneysiders are celebrating the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras season, IF WE GOT SOME MORE COCAINE I COULD SHOW YOU HOW I LOVE YOU reminds us that not all LGBTIQ people live in societies where they are embraced. Add to this the issues with poverty, crime, drugs and violence, IF WE GOT SOME MORE COCAINE I COULD SHOW YOU HOW I LOVE YOU is quite a moving piece of theatre. Williams and Orton balance the comedy with the seriousness well whilst creating clear characters. Orton's physicality as the thuggish Mikey is brilliant as he plays up the high young man who uses his fists against those that would ridicule his lifestyle. He adopts a thick Irish accent well which, when blended with Mikey's street smart speech pattern and O'Donovan's text leads to an engaging performance. Williams ensures that Casey is seen as a quieter timid man that doesn't want to get into trouble but also is longing to belong and feel the love that he only gets from his Nanna back in West London. He exudes the innocence and naïve hope of the younger man who still holds on to the possibility that his mother does love him and that she is just to scared of Bobby to show it.

Regardless of your experiences and your persuasions, IF WE GOT SOME MORE COCAINE I COULD SHOW YOU HOW I LOVE YOU is an engaging evening of entertainment that holds a deeper meaning about love, connection, escape and more importantly a reminder that many parts of our global community still have a way to go in accepting people for who they are. A brilliant production from Green Door Theatre Co's debut production.

http://www.kingsxtheatre.com/cocaine

Photos: Jasmin Simmons