The Young and the Reckless is an excellent collection of self-penned, one person shows celebrating the next generation of emerging acting and writing talent from the Pacific arts quarter. LIMA Productions, under the direction of Olivia Taoma, present three hilarious and touching stories, each presenting a predicament from the protagonist’s point of view.

‘AP…Z’, written and performed by Luse Sua, tells the story of Lucy, a six year old, getting ready to begin school. When she is turned away because she doesn’t have the right ‘papers’ she decides to home-school herself by stealing her sister’s homework. When she opens the mail and finds a certificate from emigration with her name but a different surname she discovers … [spoiler averted]. This is a funny and touching insight into what can happen when parent want a better education for their children. 

Lusy Sua’s timing and comedic skill keeps the pace and her writing is both humorous and thought provoking.

‘Coming Home’, written and performed by Darren Taniue, tells the story of a recently ‘outed’ young gay man and the abusive relationship with Daniel whom he has moved in with. We meet his fashion-conscious sister Mischa and his acidic friend Vanessa who outed him to his parents.

Darren’s delivery of these characters is both flawless and comical but the sobering portrayal, through mime and dance, of Daniel beating him up is frightening and chilling. Darren has written a first-rate play which could be expanded in future, and although some of the content is dark it is well balanced by the comedy and perfect pitch of Darren’s performance.

Last up is the title piece, ‘The Young and the Reckless’, written and performed by KC Throne Myers. Kevin Connaway is a misunderstood high school student who does the things others only think about when it comes to revenge. Through blackmail, stalking, attempted murder with a twink pen and faking his own death we discover Kevin is more than a little unbalanced. He appears with dark circles around his eyes set against pale white face makeup, giving him the look of a modern day vampire or asylum inmate. With the taste for blood he turns out to have, I am not sure which he is.

KC’s performance is compelling and funny. The use of several short mimed sequences using TV and film music tends to slow the piece but this detracts little from the overall storey telling.  

All three pieces are presented on a black empty stage with minimal props. Lighting by Samson Chan-Boon is effective while Nastassia Wolfgramm’s sound design is well orchestrated.

The evening lasts a little over an hour but what it lacks in quantity is made up for in quality. All three performers are recent graduates of The Pacific Institute of Performing Arts and if these three actor/writers are anything to go by the calibre is indeed very high. Although all three pieces are good Darren Taniue walks away with the evening: his ‘Coming Home’ is a must see.

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