It's off-the-hip, cool, sassy and treads a nicely fine line of daring you to be offended by its irreverence and sheer non 'pc' disposition.

It's not just for kids - who go bonkers for it - it's for kidults. Those who refuse to surrender their sense of the absurd and inner kid whackiness, in exchange for being grown up and sensible.

Long live the latter I say! Exclamation marks there!

Once again, SHYAC the kid's theatre company in our Highlands and formed decades ago by a visionary woman, hasn't spared the horses and pulled out all the stops to play their singularly cracker tune in SHREK JNR the musical.

Yep, I'm now a fan. UnADULTerated.

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The last time I wrote about SHYAC was when I saw The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

It's hard to believe how many years ago this was and before our Mittagong Playhouse succumbed to an order to close down due to being unsafe for more years than is either sensible or acceptable for ratepayers. Who hasn't seen the barricades that hold it together?

This is another story.

I'll stick to the triumph of SHYAC who have survived. Dozens of kids/young people who have been isolated, gone through uncertainty, and have suffered [and still are in many cases] a sense of zero purpose, whilst the plague of COVID had its way not only in our community, but across the globe, for over two years.

SHREK JNR - the musical - is/was a triumph. A triumph of resilience and belief that theatre has the power to sustain, return, endure and be never less than relevant and beyond important to so very many.

And, major word, MAGICAL.

Forty kids gave it their all. An astonishing number. And SHYAC has many more who attend their classes for both Juniors and Seniors. The dedication of the 'grown-ups' who run and hold the flag is staggering.

I think that applause is the singular and wonderful legacy of an organisation that loves our kids. And boy are these kids talented.

I can't write this without acknowledging another Highlands initiative and one that strikes notes of affirmation for our kids, for their talent and, like SHYAC provides a grass roots support, training and platform for young emerging singers - Vocal Muster.

Between them, SHYAC and Vocal Muster have claimed the territory and within the ranks of the young there are many cross-overs who relish the offerings of both of these groups.

I'm not going to name names, or even single out some of the remarkable talents that I watched last week. Enough to say, school's audiences, the general public, mums and dads and extended families - breathed in the sheer joy of theatre, of performance, of celebration that SHREK JNR the musical brought to us, at the Moss Vale Services Club.

The good news is that the show continues throughout the weekend of June 25 and 26. The Sunday matinee is sold out, but tickets are still available to both the Saturday matinee and evening performances.

Here's to the day when these groups have their own 'homes'. When they don't have to scramble for a venue. When the gathered throng of these young artists, crews, designers, costume makers and creators of all that represents a united, full-throated cry of 'we have a voice!'.

In the meantime don't miss the chance to secure your tickets to this fabulous show. Go to https://www.trybooking.com/events/904016/sessions or grab your tickets at the door.

To learn more about SHYAC go to https://www.facebook.com/SHYAC

APPLAUSE!

Dave Letch - Hill Top