Jake & Ella – Twenties

The experience of the Gens Y and Z is, at times, truly harrowing. The most progressive and welcoming generations are stuck watching the higher-ups belittle and degrade the people around them. As Jake & Ella attempt to depict 21st century youth in the first world, little is done to showcase the hardships they face.

The biggest problem with Twenties lies within the delivery. Instead of adequately depicting the struggle of young people in a boomer-led society, the characters come off as lazy and entitled. The audience don’t see millennials fruitlessly fighting against the shackles of one per cent-era capitalism, but rather floating through the world around them. Snapping selfies at their work desk and flirting with unsavoury office mates, there’s no sympathy to be found with these characters. Admittedly, there are some moments of positivity and even some of feminist empowerment, but they’re few and far between. Pair that with the 'man in a dress, that’s the whole joke' concept seen not once but a staggering five times, and the show comes off as a mess of confusion and contradiction.

Considering the incredible shows at MICF this year that showcase these hardships so well, Twenties falls seriously short of what is possible. The few redemptive moments that performers Jake Glanc and Ella Kamer inject into the show (some clever stage work and prop-based material definitely work in their favour) are seldom and, as a result, unsatisfying. There are times when the show seems to be taking a turn for the better, but it’s immediately undercut by cheap gags and a weak overall message. The character material is victim to repetition and accents dropped mid-scene, making the whole piece feel underdeveloped and lacking real direction.

Some may see their own story reflected in Twenties, but there’s serious work to be done. It’s a disappointingly simple tale that goes nowhere and relies heavily on unnecessary melodrama. Sure, that sounds like being in your 20s, but Jake & Ella have missed the mark this time round.