So Young – Traverse Theatre

World Premier

From the celebrated writer of Decky Does a Bronco and I Can Go Anywhere, Douglas Maxwell’s So Young is an often hilarious, but equally pathos-tinged coming-of-middle-age tale.

40-somethings Davie, Liane, Milo and Helen were once inseparable, three of them studied at teacher training together, but that all changed when Helen died from COVID.

Set up as a classic sitcom, like a latter-day kilted Abigail’s Party, nicely constructed traditional sets transport us, with the swish of a curtain, from the bedroom of long-time married couple Liane (Luciano McEvoy) and Dave (Andy Clark) to the faux-chic lounge of recently bereaved pal Milo (Nicholas Karimi) and his new, much younger, girlfriend Greta (Yang Harris).

The cliché of the older man’s choices, of so young and so soon, feel like a direct slap in the face to Liane, who can barely contain her indignation and anger, and hurt. After all her best pal, Helen, Milo’s ex, has only been dead for three months! Davie meanwhile hides in his pal’s vinyl collection, whilst gently enquiring what ‘it’s’ like.

The generational clash which ensues provides plenty of laughs, but also a beautiful truth. While the ‘new four’ try to coexist, at least for one evening, the spirit of Helen is never far away. The real question is, should she be uncorked or remain in her bottle forever.

The quality of the acting, the script, the sets and the whole production is an absolute joy. McEvoy is phenomenal, delivering the lion’s share of meaty lines, but Andy Clark has his own ‘lion’ moment.

Reviewer: Greg Holstead

Reviewed: 10^th August 2024

North West End UK Rating: