Oh to be Seventeen Again at Cronulla

Photo above by Maria Franklin

The latest production at Arts Theatre Cronulla is Seventeen, opening on Friday 1 August, 2025. Written by Matthew Whittet and directed by Susan Geldart, the story centres on five teenagers, Mike, Sue, Tom, Edwina, and Ronny, who are celebrating in a park playground in the evening after their final day of school. However, the play features older actors portraying these raucous, vulnerable teenagers to explore themes of time, memory and the enduring nature of adolescence.

As the Director notes in the program, it is a celebration of where we’ve been, and the strange, uncertain beauty of what lies ahead. It’s about memory, friendship, fear and hope. Every crush, every outburst, every whispered confession is laced with the ache of memory and hindsight. The play aims to tap into the audience's own memories of being seventeen, the intention being to prompt emotional responses and moments of self-reflection.

Photo by Jeffrey Gaul

The characters are all initially having fun, drinking and arguing, swinging on swings, and switching allegiances and love interests until the sun comes up. They all have secrets, too, some embarrassing, some profound, and revelations create sadness, anger, and regrets. Relationships are revaluated and changed, as the laughter gives way to many poignant moments. Funny, immature, wise and a little bit but quite beautifully sad, nothing will be the same again.

Seventeen had its premiere at the Belvoir St. Theatre in 2015 and is an ode to a simpler time compared with today’s school-leavers. How much more uncomplicated things were when all teenagers had to do was get drunk in a park. 

Photo by Mark Phillips

The play runs till 6 September, with shows on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights, with four Sunday matinees.

Tickets are $33/$30 and can be booked online via the theatre’s website: 

https://www.artstheatrecronulla.com.au/

Cast

TOM: Anthony White

MIKE: Scott Brawley

EDWINA: Christiane Brawley

SUE: Elizabeth Coote

RONNY: Patrick Cranney

LIZZY: Narelle Jaeger

Photography: Port Hacking Camera Club