Class of ‘89

I always enjoy stories set in Queensland, and so it was refreshing to visit a real community theatre production in the heart of a supportive neighbourhood, showcasing an entertaining play by a local Queensland playwright, Kellie Silver. Set at the Gold Coast, 29 years after their first ‘Schoolies’ experience, five 50-somethings get back together for an overdue reunion. In the process of sharing an esky full of alcopops and cheap wine, some home truths are shared and old teenage gripes revisited, including the group’s treatment of an ex-mate, Dylan, an off-stage presence whose significance becomes clearer in Act Two.

It was a delight to see local performers playing to their strengths as the reluctant reunion group – and, unusual in community theatre, playing characters close to their own age group. There were no powdered wigs and tweed jackets in sight. This group were contemporary and revelled in the playwright’s in-jokes about the late 1980s, including many pop culture references and ‘Breakfast Club’ asides. I was the perfect audience demographic and I got many, many laughs from the script, which is humorous but not at the expense of diluting the real-life drama. The performers handled both ends of the emotive spectrum with ease, and at the end of the show, I really felt like I had just spent time with some characters from my own high school days. There was Andrea Melville, perfectly cast as sensible Sarah, the everywoman who leaves school to go on to a successful career as a psychologist – leading to one of the play’s best lines: “But I HATE people!” Steve Pearton played everyone’s favourite class clown, Petey, ready with a quick quip, leaving everyone unaware of his serious side. Veronica Mackerras was Lizzy, the high school glamour queen, and Carolyn Sternes was Paula, her rival for the affections of Gareth Oliver as Andy, the high school heartbreaker – but has his life been as carefree as he had hoped when he was King of the surfies? I really enjoyed watching this strong and capable cast, all clearly embodying their character’s traits – from the warm and funny to the complex and dramatic – and capturing every laugh to keep things moving. Libby Harrison confidently directs – no wonder, as she was in the cast of the original production of Class of ’89, performed in an underground car park in 2023! The show won two Anywhere Festival awards for Best Comedy and Best Location.

The play’s setting makes it easy for any local theatre troupe to produce. Here the sets were designed by Libby and constructed by Ann Leung, Diana Gogulski and Clive Harrison. The cast provided their own costumes, including an original prom dress by Veronica. A smattering of 1980’s pop hits helped to locate the characters in the nostalgia of their memories. I read a recent interview with artist Lorna Simpson who said: “Your friends are the ones that remind you of who you are and what you’ve experienced.” This theme is underlined in this play and, because of that, I think Class of ’89 could be picked up and revived by many local theatre groups as a fun and entertaining production that will resonate with audiences.

MATES Theatre Genesis are Redlands’ longest running community theatre group and have local Redland City Councillor and actor, Paul Bishop, as their patron. This production was held in a welcoming School of Arts hall where a hot cuppa could be enjoyed in the interval. I will definitely be seeing the group’s next show, as I won their lucky door prize which includes tickets to their next show at the Donald Simpson Centre. I am very grateful that I did not inadvertently attract a prize for the most outrageous ‘80s outfit, which was a great idea for adding fun to the occasion!

Beth Keehn

Find out more: https://matestg.org.au

Photographer: Clive Harrison