I've been meaning to ask you, Canberra Youth Theatre, The Street Theatre and Critical Stages Touring, The Street Theatre, 8-10 July

 This is stunning theatre, full stop. Youth theatre can often be considered a ghetto or a training exercise for "The real thing", but this is clever, thought out work that absolutely belongs to the 17 young performers aged 9-13. Devised by The Good Room, a team of two Brisbane-based director/creatives, Daniel Evans and Amy Inghram, this show uses questions asked by kids of adults, and a couple of questions adults have asked back to kids, to provide a show that looks at the big questions of life, death and the human experience through a stunningly different lens. Plus songs and dances and interactive stuff.

The cast of 17 work as a true ensemble of individuals, all getting a chance to show their personalities and to embody the voices of the various poll responders, named and anonymous. For most of them, it's their first show, but there's no hesitancy or reluctance from any of them - they throw themselves into the show full throttle with energy, authority, charm and funky dance moves. For that I congratulate all of them. 

I also congratulate the multiple directors and creatives for building a show that is cohesive, insightful, emotional, spectacular and moving. There's some astonishing moments of ligting design and video design in the latter part of the show from Jason Glenwright and Craig Wilkinson which needs to be acknowledged, but this is a fine team effort from everybody involved. 

Canberra Youth Theatre is certainly kicking goals between this and "Young Girls Alone in the Woods" a few months ago. The next generation of Canberra and Australian Theatre is looking amazing.