Everyman Theatre | Review by Edith Baggoley
Irish Play’s Canberra Premiere Leads ACT Hub to New Heights
20 May 2025
Everyman Theatre’s If We Got Some More Cocaine I Could Show You How I Love You by Irish playwright John O’Donovan is currently making its Canberra Premiere at ACT Hub, and is absolutely not to be missed. The play is set on Halloween night, and two boys, Mikey (played by Robert Kjellgren) and Casey (Joshua James) are on the run after robbing a petrol station and raiding Casey’s house, which leads them to climb up onto the roof and hide until the guards (police) surrounding the building leave. Their only items? A clown mask, a balaclava, a pocketful of petrol station food, cigarettes, whiskey, an envelope of cash, and an ounce of cocaine in a ziplock bag. Mikey is desperate to get off the roof as soon as possible to make it to a nearby party and “show off” Casey as his boyfriend, but Casey has his reservations. Running on drugs, junk food and adrenaline, the pair’s differences are revealed, along with unexpected truths that could drastically alter the future of their relationship.
The cast were cleverly directed by Joel Horwood, with the dialogue and staging of the script feeling natural. The task of making a play, that is (in oversimplified terms) one long scene is a tall one, but a sensitive understanding of the nuances and timing of the script meant the momentum was never broken. Horwood’s staging was particularly effective, with his use of spatial proxemics allowing the audience to read between the lines and get a close look at each character’s interior monologue.
Robert Kjellgren shone as the emphatic and excitable Mikey, his use of light and shade throughout the work creating a well-rounded character (alongside an impressively clear Irish accent). Particularly notable was his use of physicality and intonation to transition from Mikey’s outward presentation of an aggressive and troubled young man, to his more intimate dialogue as his inward “softie”. Joshua James’ physicality as the tentative and inexperienced Casey felt beautifully natural, with his body language foreshadowing the secrets Casey is too scared to reveal at the beginning of the night. What was most impressive was the dynamic between the two. Assisted by Horwood’s direction, the two worked effortlessly together to glide through the dialogue while still allowing the romantic tension to build throughout. A beautiful example of this was when the pair became startled by a noise and rolled to the other side of the roof to hide. Whilst Mikey is the older and seemingly more experienced of the pair, his nerves are calmed in Casey’s presence, resulting in a moment of poignant stillness that made the audience root for the boys and their uncertain future.
Each production element of the show was incorporated with great attention to detail and a strong sense of atmosphere. The set design from Isaac Reilly supported believable movements and staging, with the actors navigating the physical challenges on top of an actual slanted roof. Lachlan Houen’s lighting design was realistic, while at times, subtly adjusting to match the mood and tension with masterful timing, supported by Neville Pye’s ambient sound design.
Although it is set thousands of kilometers away, the storytelling in If We Got Some More Cocaine… is bound to hit close to home for all audiences. Despite the fact that the show navigates difficult topics like violence, drugs and homophobia, it was also heartwarmingly funny and reflective. The discussions around what love really means are genuine, thoughtful and brilliantly nuanced. The moments in the work surrounding queer love and insecurity are particularly beautiful, and it was refreshing to see such a realistic, non-stereotypical gay relationship brought to the forefront. Ultimately, If We Got Some More Cocaine I Could Show You How I Love You transcends its setting, offering a deeply human experience that resonates with laughter, love, reflection, and genuine emotional connection.
If We Got Some More Cocaine I Could Show You How I Love You runs 14–24 May 2025 at Act HUB. For booking, see acthub.com.au.
Edith Baggoley is a current high school student studying drama and musical theatre in year 10. She has performed in youth, community and school theatre for over a decade. Edith has previously worked with Canberra Youth Theatre in The Trials as Addie, and is a part of the 2025 Young Critics.
