Above : theatre legend Nancye Hayes plays Leo’s very independent grandmother Vera in Amy Herzog’s play 4000 Miles. Photo Daniel Boud.
About half way through American playwright Amy Herzog’s play 4000 MILES my companion whispers in my ear, sighing, ‘Oh….relationships.’
Yes, with 4000 MILES, we have another play delving in io this perennial theme, how much we need relationships, and how fraught and difficult they can be. Herzog’s play is a very well crafted play and this Sydney Theatre Company production, directed by Kenneth Moraleda, does it justice.
The scenario. Vera is a feisty, independent elderly woman, in her early nineties, still living at home, in her very pleasant New York apartment. In the middle of the night, her grandson Leo turns up, pushbike in hand, asking to stay. Vera , of-course, acquiesces.
Vera learn that Leo has been on a cross-country bike trip, covering some 4000 miles, hence the title, from the West Coast to New York, during which a traumatic event takes place. Leo was joined on the trip by his best friend Micah. Midway through their journey, Micah collides with a truck, and dies on impact. Leo is inevitably distraught but something in him drives him on to continue on and complete the journey which ends at his grans’ front door.
Leo is only planning a short stopover but things evolve as a result of his chats with his gran. Leo is a 21 year old with lots of issues. Amongst these…he is ambivalent about going back home. He can’t get his head around that he pashed his sister (step) at a drunken party. His girlfriend Bec is breaking up with him. And top of the list, he hasn’t allowed himself to grieve the loss of Micah, and is filled with guilt that he did carry on with his trek. This guy has more than a full backpack…
The performances, like the play, are quality. It is great to see Nancye Hayes back on a main stage, and she is perfect as the ninety something who is caring but not mushy mushy and who knows that she is slowly ‘losing it’, as well as running out of friends, as they go to God,
Shiv Palekar is excellent as the genial Leo who chooses well in spending time getting support from his grandmother as he tries to sort himself out.
Arladne Sgouras is good as his ex partner Bec who is enjoying her uni course and is over Leo’s muddled behaviour. Though she has given up on the relationship, she still wants to help Leo out.
The comic, light relief comes via the character of Amanda, well played by Shirong Wu, a kooky young woman who Leo picks up at a nightclub, with the aim of sexual encounter, and using one of the condoms from the box that Vera finds when she stealthily goes through his backpack.
Moraleda’s creative team headed by Jeremy Allen’s very appealing set of Vera’s apartment, Kelsey Lee’s spot on lighting, and Jessica Dunn’s breezy soundscape, artfully frame and heighten the drama.
Engaging, witty and heartfelt, 4000 MILES might seem like a long journey still it is well worth taking. It plays Wharf 1, Sydney Theatre Company until March 23, 2025.
