Who We Were

Who We Were
By Jayden Masciulli, Caitlyn Staples, and Tiana Hogben. Hit By a Blimp (Vic). The Improv Conspiracy Theatre, Melbourne. February 2 - 23, 2018

In this homage to the most cringeworthy of the 1990s and the 2000s, I counted 23 era-specific references. I missed others.

The show opens with a dial-up modem screeching as it connects to the Internet. Three high school friends, Max (Jayden Masciulli), Katie (Tiana Hogben), and Amanda (Caitlyn Staples) indulge in some online chat infatuation.

From there, it's a fast-moving romp through the relics of the coming-of-age years of the comedy troupe.

Along the way, Hit By a Blimp presents two full-length songs and a classic PowerPoint presentation, ‘What I Did on the Holidays.’

You never know what's coming next. But you soon learn that wherever they go, it will be worthwhile.

In one scene, a tribute to Pokémon, Jayden Masciulli plays Al Capokémon. Caitlyn Staples plays both his henchmen. It's in these roles she stands out, dominating the stage with a super sharp performance.

Jayden Masciulli reaches his pinnacle as the perennially misunderstood mother. All she wants to do is love her daughters, but they just keep throwing it back in her face.

I mentioned the ‘What I Did On the Holidays' PowerPoint before. This is Tiana Hogben's most beautiful moment.

Most of the audience in the show resemble the performers: young indie hipster artsy folks.

That type of audience seems perfect for this show.  If you were a teenager in the late 1990s and early 2000s, this show is a fun romp down the Information Super Highway — at dial-up speeds, of course.

Daniel G. Taylor

Mental health copywriter Daniel G. Taylor lives in Melbourne.

Subscribe to our E-Newsletter, buy our latest print edition or find a Performing Arts book at Book Nook.