Liv Satchell’s Ballkids (or, scenes from a friendship) opens on a young child called Holly (performed by Michelle McCowage), implementing a protracted sunscreen application routine.

McCowage plays up the fastidious administration of sunscreen for laughs and Director Julian Dibley-Hall gives them the space to do so. We’re lulled into a false sense of security that Holly is doing this on purpose.

But when there’s no more skin left uncovered, Satchell delivers an emotional gut-punch; Holly’s been using the sunscreen as a shield to hide the fact they don’t know anyone at the bustling tennis court. Nor do they know how to shoulder in to the conversations happening around them.

Michelle McCowage in Ballkids. Photo © Darren Gill

It’s a deeply relatable feeling. Everyone’s had moments desperately trying to look busy so they don’t appear lonely or, worse, disliked.

And some of us (me included) have experienced that at a tennis camp as a kid. I wish my mum had packed sliced oranges to help me make friends like the other half of the bestie duo, Sam’s mum did! 

Satchell grabs on to universal experiences of growing up then zeroes in on the specificities of doing so as a middle class Millennial – complete with featuring hit Hipster song What You Know by Two Door Cinema Club. It’s a heartwarming trip down memory lane.

Izabella Yena and Michelle McCowage in Ballkids. Photo © Darren Gill

In terms of exploring friendship, Satchell doesn’t overdeliver. Vignettes show Holly and Sam (Izabella Yena) engaging with each other over the years, as the title suggests, but it’s a little too easy. The ‘rupture and repair’ that strengthens mutual understanding, the vulnerability that emotional intimacy causes is missing. Holly and Sam are best friends but it’s not clear why. 

Nevertheless, Ballkids’ first five minutes shows off a well oiled, harmonious creative team that has impeccable control of narrative pacing and emotional push and pull. This standard continues for the rest of the production, with the addition of inventive audience participation and fourth wall-breaking and a captivating performance by Yena as Sam. 

Ballkids (or, scenes from a friendship) is a charming story that is easily enjoyable. It will be especially appreciated by fans of Beaches – there’s a Venn diagram of conceptual similarities – with a hefty intersection for TikTok teens obsessed with ‘Millenial Hope Core’.

Someone figure out how the algorithm works and tell them about this show. 

Ballkids (or, scenes from a friendship) plays at fortyfivedownstairs, Melbourne until 24 September.