New directions in theatre for young people. A report on the recent work of REM theatre in Sydney

This paper outlines new directions in Theatre-in-Education/Theatre for Young People by profiling the work of one Company, REM Theatre, based in Sydney. REM's recent production for children was researched in Australia's neighbouring Oceanic island, Fiji. The company exchanged myths, legends, and performance/production techniques with local Fijian villagers and returned to Australia to synthesise their research into a performance suitable for 3–10 year olds. REM's production introduces children to the importance of stories and storytelling by recreating mythical characters and legends from Fijian history. In addition, REM's production techniques involves a carefully constructed process that introduces the audience to the theatricality of the performance, inviting them to identify a range of theatrical concepts and elements. This process of theatrical deconstruction is discussed using comments provided by children who attended the production.