Unrequited: A Gay Emo Story Spoiler Free Review

Unrequited: A Gay Emo Story - 7 out of 10
Salisbury Youth Performing Arts Group
TICKETS: End of Season

Playwright Lancy Seidel created this piece, as well as performed in the starring role, Edith. It is impressive to learn that this play is written and created by a young person from the Salisbury Youth Performing Arts Group, a program clearly supporting and nurturing young creative minds. Director and program facilitator Sarah Valle fosters creativity and allows for a safe welcoming space for these young people. The directing team also involves castmates Sam Maslin, Samantha Perryman and Mikayla Cogzell.

This play encapsulates the gay emo high school experience throughout and keeps the audience entertained and engaged in the characters teenage angst, yearning, and discovery. The story followed the friendship of Edith and Drai, two gay emo teenagers who both longed to be in unattainable relationships, or so they thought. Drai is vulnerable with his friends about his crush, Xavier, and holds out little hope as Xavier is already dating someone: the popular girl, Cynthia. Edith, however blurted out his love for his crush, Casimir, who reluctantly agreed to date and perhaps even be boyfriends on the condition of Edith improving his grades. So, he works hard to the detriment of his friendships and himself. Both characters go through heartache, embarrassment, and the turmoil of high school.

Alistar Talbot plays one of the leading characters, Drai and memorised many lines as well as demonstrating impeccable improvisational skills. Her delivery is natural and they bring an earnest quality to the role.

Seidel leads the show as Edith, a young teenage boy who just wants to be loved and hugged by his crush. He brings this play to life by taking what was once a ‘one off’ in last years’ variety show and his personal experience and bringing it to life. He acknowledges that other theatre members and friends helped in the creative process. Seidel projects their voice with excellent enunciation and portrays Edith with honesty and care.

Xavier was played by Rocket Polain, and they play a very nice boyfriend to Cynthia, despite being mistreated. Once he is dating Casimir, he truly thrives and bond over their interest in miniature boatmaking. His relationship with Casimir was the epitome of a high school romance as they held hands and shyly enjoyed each other’s company. Polain also helped in the costume and prop design.

Samantha Perryman played an integral role in the play by being involved in many aspects from directing, lighting, sound, poster/program design and acting as Casimir. Her villain arch is delivered brilliantly, and Perryman’s facial expressions keep the audience laughing and listening to every word she says.

Fleur O’Dea shines on stage as Farlei and plays the part in a beautiful couple where they are the ‘chaotic one’ and her girlfriend Maude, played by Kaitlyn Tom, is the ‘sensitive one’. Both O’Dea and Tom have brilliant comedic timing and delivery to their roles.

Mikayla Cogzell plays Cynthia, the classic jealous girlfriend. She portrays multiple characters, including Mrs. Beryl, and switches between them effortlessly. She also helped with direction and stage management.

The drama and science teachers are played by Sam Maslin and Kyann Todd-Williams respectively, who brought realism to the roles as well as humour in the staff room exchanging gossip. Both actors also helped with stage management alongside Cogzell.

The rest of the cast include Amber Kisbee, Charlise Bettinelli and John Comahig. They all performed very well and took on additional roles of directing, stage management, costume design, set design, prop design, lighting/sound and work backstage.

Special mention to Harriet Pearce, who worked backstage and it was her birthday opening night, Happy Birthday!

Costuming of each character is beautifully tied into their personalities and demonstrates a range of high school archetypes effortlessly. They were authentic and important to each character’s style and expression. Notably Edith and Casimir’s costume design with bleached skeleton shirt, black boots, chokers, and studded belts, the emo style was quickly recognisable.

The lighting mostly switched between blue mood lighting and poignant white light throughout the show. The soundscape utilised instrumental music at the beginning and end of the show as well as during each set and scene change. The music perfectly set the vibe for the show and kept audience members bopping their heads along as they waited for the next scene.

The set includes many details, from posters in the drama room for the school play, volleyball signup sheet, a music concert notice to the restaurant ‘part time lovers’ menu and signage. A lot of hard work goes on behind the scenes to deliver multiple scene changes, done as efficiently as possible by all cast and crew. The scenes vary between a graveyard, bedroom, schoolyard, restaurant, and classrooms, and that’s just naming a few. My personal favourite was the school hallway where art and graffiti covered the walls, from classic ‘ ___ was here’ to niche references from the play itself, even including the iconic ‘cool S’.

The venue was filled with family and friends of the young actors. In a two-act show, this piece tells so many stories that are portrayed fantastically by the entire cast. I was impressed by each actor and wish them all the best for their bright futures. A lot of effort was put in by each actor, crew member, staff, and volunteers, and it shows. This play is very special and deeply appreciated and enjoyed by the audience. The Sailsbury Youth Performing Arts Group put on such a brilliant show that audiences will continue to talk about.

- El Flanagan-Sjoberg