Ninety-one-year Vera lives a quiet life in the Greenwich Village apartment she once shared with her late husband Joe, and their three children. Early one morning, she is woken by her 21-year-old grandson, Leo – who lives on the other side of the country. Leo has been on a cross-country bike ride and the whole family has been worried about him after a tragic incident during the trip.
Over the next few days, Leo and Vera must get to know each other as adults, learn to trust each other, and respect each other’s decisions and way of seeing things. Joining them on stage are Leo’s one-time girlfriend, Bec, and Amanda, whom Leo meets on a night out and brings back to the apartment.
Nancye Hayes is one of Australia’s most beloved stage and screen actresses. Off-stage, she is dressed stylishly in a black sweater and headband, taupe pants and tan shoes.
At 82, she takes the demanding role of Vera in her stride: “I’m enjoying myself. When you’re lucky enough to do what you love, it gives you the energy.” She says of Vera, who is an old-school communist: “She is feisty and interested. She may be slow of movement but she is fast of brain.”
A Moving Portrayal
It’s not often that a play stars two characters 70 years apart. All four cast members were moved by the relationship portrayed between Vera and Leo.
Says Shiv Palekar, who plays Leo and who grew up in India and Hong Kong: “My grandparents are dead but every night before the show, I talk to them and say ’thank you’.”
And Shirong Wu, who plays Amanda, says that being in 4,000 Miles and the emotions it brings forth has prompted her to plan a visit to her grandparents in New Zealand after the show’s run.
“I hope that after seeing the play, young people in the audience might go and ring their grandparents,” says Hayes.
4000 Miles is a Pulitzer Prize-nominated play by American playwright Amy Herzog. It is based on her own grandmother, Leepee and an incident involving one of Herzog’s cousins.
It explores the friendship that can exist between grandparents and adult grandchildren. But it’s also a universal story about tolerance, and love, and respect. Three qualities that we could all do to remember in today’s world.
4000 Miles
Sydney Theatre Company
Until 23 March, 2025
sydneytheatre.com.au
