He Partied Like It’s 1999, at Theatre Works’ Explosives Factory - 75 minutes

It is December 1999.

With the imminent threat of Y2K (the millennium bug) hanging over participants in this drama with comedic elements, the main focus is on cross generational relationships.

Lucinda (Tahlia Moffatt) is a 24-year-old goth who walks into an op shop operated by Rose (Janine McGrath).

Photos by Cam Matheson and coniferhillphotography

Lucinda, who works in a café, is studying to be an archivist and is in a relationship with non-binary nurse Rwanda (Rachel Edmonds).

Lucinda loves Rwanda, but would rather than sex with a stranger.

Rose, whose husband, Reg (Stephen Najera) was quite the dancer and activist in his day is on her own now after 30 years of marriage.

Reg didn’t pass away, but declared that he was gay and is in a non-monogamous relationship with Hunter (Anuj Mehra) who is HIV positive.

One of the medical team looking after Hunter is Rwanda, who struggles with being judged for her look.

Hunter is also friends with a shonky medium and small time, colourful, drag queen and drug dealer, Angela Mercy (Karlis Zaid), attended by Reg for “a reading”.

Although Lucinda and Rose appear decidedly different in outlook, the pair hits it off.

Reg clearly cares about Hunter, while still loving Rose (platonically).

He Partied Like It’s 1999 is a step back in time and a look at the vicissitudes of humanity in all its messiness and confusion.

It is about how we navigate disruption, change and acceptance.

There is a lot going on here.

Clearly writer Gary Helmore has thought much about the human condition.

Nevertheless, I wanted to care more about the characters and their respective journeys.

There are the makings of a very good play here, but it needs more work …. more excitement.

Seventy-five minutes seems like a stretch for the material in its current form. I found myself doing a bit of clock watching.

Karlis Zaid is clearly the standout for his characterisation of a loudmouth rogue. 

From the moment he appears, he lights up the stage with his shenanigans.

One of the actors starts rather nervously, but works her way into her role, while another is desperately in need of greater projection throughout.

A third is fine until he needs to show outrage and then goes over the top.

Thus, director Andrew Blogg has a bit to work through.

Still, I remain keen to see how He Partied Like It’s 1999 can evolve, as I am confident it can.

It is on at Theatre Works’ Explosives Factory, as part of the Midsumma Festival, until 31^st January, 2026.