An Emotional Journey of Sisterhood, Secrets, and Self-Destruction
Yeah Nah Theatre presented their first mainstage production of "Young Bodies/Somebody's" under the direction of Mikayla Hosking. Set against the backdrop of an ordinary Aussie family’s fractured home, this 60-minute play weaves together the stories of two sisters, June and Anna, along with their mother Dawn, as each individual confronts their own personal demons while grappling with life’s relentless pressures. In the opening scene, the audience was met with the sight of these three women gazing into mirrors, manipulating their faces and bodies as if willing them to change—a visual metaphor for the profound insecurities that fuelled much of the narrative.
Miranda Michalowski’s script was masterfully written and delivered, offering a nuanced exploration of a family fractured by divorce. The contrasting narration revealed how each character's struggles were deeply rooted in their insecurities and personal traumas. While the sisters, Anna and June, appeared to be opposites on the surface, their undeniable bond shone through as they navigated the weight of the unspoken truths lurking beneath their façades.
The set was cleverly designed to represent the distinct spaces of the sisters’ lives. Their bedrooms sat side by side, with shared bathroom sinks between them, visually illustrating their physical proximity yet emotional distance as they transition to adulthood. June’s room, tidy and organised, stood in stark contrast to Anna’s chaotic, messy space. Mirrors lined all three walls, adding to the thematic depth of self-reflection and fractured identities.
June, the younger of the two, played with a quiet intensity by Roxanne Ruby, was driven by her need for control. A university student and competitive swimmer, she spiralled into disordered eating, hiding her fixation and anxiety from her family. Roxanne's portrayal of June felt eerily relatable, capturing the anguish of someone who is driven by their own self-imposed need for perfection. One of the most impactful lines in the play was when June expressed, "I wish it didn't have to hurt so much... Being good." Roxanne's emotional depth was truly something to behold, particularly as she held back tears while attempting convey the overwhelming burdens she carries. I couldn’t help but resonate with June’s self-doubt and insecurity, especially in the way she likened herself to a bloated Violet Beauregarde from "Willy Wonka". It was a moment that hit close to home for anyone who has battled with body image.
In contrast, Anna, brought to life by Meg Bowden, was a whirlwind of chaotic energy. Her nights spent in bars and clubs, seeking validation through strangers’ eyes. Beneath her outward bravado lay deep-rooted insecurities that she masked through attempts to justify her choices, trying to convince both herself and others that she was perfectly fine. Her comedic timing provided moments of levity in a story that could otherwise have felt overwhelmingly heavy. She made the audience chuckle with her witty quips, but beneath her carefree attitude was a character masking her own fragility.
The rapport between these performers was natural and easy, making the sisters' relationship feel incredibly authentic. The actresses brought both the playful sibling banter and intense arguments to life. A particularly powerful moment was when June exploded at Anna, accusing her of being directionless and careless with her life. The raw emotion in this scene was intense, and it was here that Roxanne shone, showcasing June’s deep frustration and inner turmoil. In contrast, Meg handled Anna’s vulnerability beautifully, showing us the tenderness she tried so hard to conceal.
Janelle Bailey, playing the sisters' mother, Dawn, offered a strong, sharp performance. Dawn's snide comments carried more weight than she likely realised, and Janelle captured that unintentional harshness perfectly. Some of Dawn's lines felt like a slap, and the audience could feel the heaviness in those moments. Her complicated relationship with her daughters – June, with whom she shares body image insecurities, and Anna, with whom she shares poor choices in men – was a dynamic that was both complex and expertly handled. Their interactions were charged with a blend of affection, frustration, and misunderstanding.
The staging was superbly done, with the use split scenes to capture the sisters’ private worlds. One such scene stood out: June narrating her emotions during an intense swim training session, while Anna shared her inner thoughts while undergoing an STI check. The juxtaposition between the two was darkly humorous, revealing the different ways in which the sisters sought validation and control in their lives. Another memorable split scene came when the sisters, each in their own room, were engrossed in their phones—Anna watching adult videos while June obsessively consumed weight loss tips. Their overthinking spiralled simultaneously, leading to a synchronised sequence with June doing sit-ups and Anna making similar noises while... well, you know. This created an amusing yet pitiful moment that encapsulated their individual battles. Michalowski’s writing and Mikayla Hosking's direction deftly balanced these moments of sharp wit with devastatingly vulnerable realities.
The play’s conclusion was deeply satisfying as the sisters came to understand one another in a way they hadn’t before. June’s realisation of her own illness and Anna’s determined resolution to help her little sister clear out her “brain junk” brought me a sense of relief as the sisters chose to heal together. "Young Bodies/Somebody’s" is a deeply resonant play that speaks to the universal struggles of womanhood, particularly for those navigating the transition from girlhood to adulthood. YeahNah Theatre made a strong impression with this production as their mainstage debut, bringing together talented local performers, an engaging script, and a strong creative team. The audience was left with the sentiment that although life may never be perfect, there is comfort in knowing that we are not alone in our struggles.
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