By Matt Fraser

Performed by a trio of young actors, This is Our Youth revolves around Warren and two of his
friends over the course of 24 hours. Warren’s story begins after his fight with his father,
culminating in him being kicked out and arriving on a friend’s doorstep, bored and forlorn. All
that we see takes place within Dennis’s apartment, with the audience getting a fly-on-the-wall
perspective of the whole day. From our first introduction to Dennis as a confident but
directionless young man to Jessica’s entry, we see shades of each character and the way their
parents have affected them. Most of the dialogue occurs between two characters at a time,
punctuated by a few interactions between all three and one-sided phone calls with imagined
characters.

At first, the story comprises only Warren’s relationship with Dennis, with the latter assuming a
leading and more dominant role in their interaction. The two actors have an authenticity in their
roles that makes the characters real and the play believable. We see Warren chaffing under the
domineering attitude of Dennis as he seeks the other boys' companionship. We see him try to
regain the lead in the relationship in his jovial efforts to lighten the mood and watch it all literally
crash down in front of him. Through his agreement in an effort to calm the situation, we feel
Warren’s trepidation at Dennis’s quickly crafted drug-dealing scheme.

Though the play features only one female character, she is first introduced by Dennis ribbing
Warren’s inability to get a girlfriend and how thoroughly out of his league she is. Yet when we
meet Jessica, the first thing that stands out is her defensive yet coquettish attitude. As Dennis
exits the apartment, we get to see the burgeoning romance between Jessica and Warren.
Again, the cast’s ability to feel authentic and convey real emotions shines. As Jessica and
Warren butt-heads and warm to each other, we see Jessica’s fun nature and dynamic
personality shine through.

We also feel Warren’s attraction and uncertainty throughout their conversation. We see Warren
realize that the conversation is slipping away from him as he makes missteps and desperately
tries to bring the conversation into a domain he is comfortable in. The fumbling chemistry on
display clearly shows the early 20s awkwardness in the way the actors are slowly drawn
together. As the first half comes to a close, we gain a deeper insight into Warren’s family
dynamic when his sister is introduced, and his mood shifts.
As the second half begins, Warren returns to Dennis’s apartment without Jessica and begins to
deal with the storm that his life has descended into. We see his eagerness to do well in his
boyish way behind Dennis. As Jessica reenters, we see her catastrophizing on her wider
relationships. The cast's ability to display emotions shines as Jessica’s confusion is palpable,
and it butts against her rebellious nature. Soon, Warren receives a call from his father, and
through the half of the conversation we hear, we feel his anger and resentment at his father. We
hear the high emotion and the ranted response feels natural and stream of conscious.

As Dennis returns, we see him overflowing with confidence and bravado. Later, he begins
working through his emotions with Warren as a sounding board. As Dennis and Warren argue,
their emotions escalate, and their interdependence is on full display. Warren snaps back at the
abuse he takes from Dennis, and we see a new dimension of both characters. Dennis reveals
emotions that seem almost out of character for the person he has been so far, and Warren
drops the boyishness we have seen as well. Though Dennis takes the role of the leader, we get
a brief break in his dominance as Warren’s words get through to him.
As the show winds to its close, it’s Warren’s turn to work through some of his emotions. Dennis
sits quietly and preoccupied as Warren speaks to no one in particular. We see anger at the
world and his situation within it. His hurt at his family dynamic is clear, and the weight of never
quite belonging resonates. Though Jessica brought some brief happiness to his day, its fleeting
nature and uncertainty seep through as he wrestles with his wider problems. As the lights fall,
the quiet resolution of the 24 hours we experienced through their actions pours through.