Elena doesn’t have any reason to be feeling down. But when you’re feeling down, the causes aren’t always obvious, especially if you’re a lonely teenager who’s shy about her looks. Running and throwing up aren’t really the answer, either. Then Elena wanders into The Garden, a website where you can be whatever you want to be – even if your identity is stolen from a friend. The Garden is frequented by the enigmatic Dark Flow, the only one who seems to understand what Elena is going through. But Dark Flow also has a real life and all of the accompanying challenges, surprisingly close by. At some point, both have to leave behind the protection of cyberspace and face their challenges as themselves.
This true-to-life, laid-back play for youth neither stoops neither to sugar-coating nor pessimism in its portrayal the world of teen-agers. It shifts naturally between pain and joy, finding beauty and humour even amid anxiety. The tight dialogue and inventive, genuinely theatrical depiction of the online world present an opportunity for a captivating performance, one that offers food for thought to viewers both young and old.
5-8 actors, at least 2 F. Available: ENG, GER, SPA
... Ahaa Theatre dares to tackle even the difficult problems that the youth is faced with, without losing a spark of hope. A special thank you goes to the super-popular Highly Explosive-production, which manages to delve into real issues concerning young people today ( depression, eating-disorders, internet reverie, parent-child relations) in a fun and affecting way...
- Excerpt from Children's Theatre Award 2008 statement
The authentic dialogue offers a lot to think about, through the perspective of young people themselves, while managing to avoid prescription answers.
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The internet isn't just the indefinable boogey-man of blogging columnists but a natural part of life. Highly Explosive is a breath of fresh air as it manages to escape overt self-awareness; the lure of cultural critique.
- Sami Vainio, Savon Sanomat 29.1.2010
