Very Happy Children with Bright and Wonderful Futures

Izzy, 13, is caught between a firestorm and a media storm, both of which threaten everything and everyone she knows. Inspired by the 2018/2019 Climate Strike Movement, Very Happy Children with Bright and Wonderful Futures is a new collaborative theatre project between Jopuka Productions and South Australian Youth Arts, set against the backdrop of the 2020 Black Summer bushfires that shocked the world.

Drawing from real stories from young people across Australia, Very Happy Children with Bright and Wonderful Futures gives young people an active voice, and compassionately examines their hopes and fears for the future.

  • Director || Callan Purcell

  • Assistant Director || Ethan Dale

  • Stage Manager || Evelyn Luck

  • Assistant SM || Dakota Lily

  • Written by || Joshua Maxwell

  • Additional Content || Jamie Hornsby

  • The Launch Pad || March - April 2021

Banksia Cast

Eloise Hunt as Izzy || Amani Halak as Leila || Ella McCray as Earth || Khy Elliot as Moon || Joseph Galea as Hunter || Thomas Schramm as Jace || Tahlia Nott as Annie || Abbey Muddle as The Spark || Hannah Duggan, Skye Gleeson, Mia Drengenberg, Ashlee Grant & Charlotte Gardiner as The Embers

Understudies/Swings

Abby Muddle & Brooke Shorten for both casts

Eucalyptus Cast

Rhianna Leigh as Izzy || Elodie Tipton-Akers as Leila || Kani Lukuta as Earth || Angel Peterson as Moon || Ibi Halak as Hunter || Anneka Jane as Jace || Milo Power as Annie || Brooke Shorten as The Spark || Hannah Duggan, Lucinda Ford, Isabella Carpenter & Anna Claire Baines as The Embers

Voice Cast

Ethan Dale || Joshua Maxwell || Scott Levi || Lisa Chappell || Barrie Raj Seppings

Show Photos, Reviews & Media

“Undoubtedly a call to action on the issue of climate change, Very happy Children stands apart because of Josh Maxwells approach and the unique flavor of this generations real problems.  This separates this generation from what has gone before. ” Lisa Thatcher

Eucalyptus Cast Program
Banksia Cast Program

Show Photos

Photo Credits

Amy Seaborn || Rambling Pictures || Watermelon Jam

Publishing Information

Very Happy Children with Bright and Wonderful Futures has been published by Playlab. For purchase and licensing information please visit THIS LINK