8 More Years

Brisbane may still be 7 trips around the sun away from hosting the world’s biggest sporting circus, but PIP Theatre’s already firing the starter pistol! 8 More Years written and produced by, and starring Amelia Slatter, is a quirky yet surprisingly tender riff on what happens when a city and a family hurtle toward massive changes at full speed.

Slatter’s writing strikes an enjoyable balance between spirited satire and gentle inquiry. The script avoids grand political declarations, choosing instead to sit in curiosity. It invites audiences to consider how Olympic sized transformation might ripple through suburban streets, living rooms and locals’ identities. The humour sparkles with recognisably Brisbane detail, while the emotional notes land with sincerity. The play feels nimble, confident and comfortable in its own skin.

Director Callum Johnston shapes the production with a buoyant rhythm. This is a director who understands the comic architecture of Slatter’s writing while adding smart flourishes that allow the humour to bloom.The soundtrack choices shape the atmosphere with intention. Costuming is perfection and set design is a recognisable snapshot of Brisbane life. Johnston’s staging supports the ensemble and offers each performer space to shine. Several sequences stand out, including a clever solution to how Jason “swims” on stage and the well timed physical comedy involving Coach and the pop up stool.

The cast brings a spirited cohesion to this eccentric family portrait. Amelia Slatter as Tracey anchors the show with a performance full of spark, sass and adolescent fire. Her physicality and vocal work sit perfectly within the character’s age, and her charismatic presence threads the narrative together with ease.

Meryn Cooper, playing Mum and a TV journalist, delivers some of the evening’s biggest laughs through sharp accent work and boldly defined character choices. Cooper balances warmth with comic flair, connects generously with scene partners and lands physical comedy with bright clarity.

Sam Herbertson as Jason offers a beautifully grounded counterpoint to the surrounding oddballs. His performance feels sincere and believable, creating an essential anchor within the more heightened world around him. Herbertson’s restraint sharpens the surrounding comedy and gives the production a steady emotional centre.

Hayden Burke appears in multiple roles including Coach, IOC Announcer and an elderly lady, bringing exuberance to each transformation. Burke’s animated facial expressions, bold physicality and gleeful performance style create a sense of vibrant unpredictability every time they step into view.

8 More Years succeeds through a willingness to explore change without lecturing on it. The production revels in the messy, funny, and personal experience of a family and a city caught in shifting tides. You won’t find yourself depressed or weighted down by this fun, funny, and entertaining tale. This is a warm and witty invitation to conversation, enlivened by a supportive director and a cast who embrace the play’s eccentric heart with evident joy.

Kitty Goodall