Local writer and queer theatre-maker, Joshua Maxwell, is set to have his play, Very Happy Children with Bright and Wonderful Futures, published nationally in hard copy via PlayLab.
Joshua has worked professionally in the arts industry since he was young and is passionate about providing young people with a platform to be seen and heard in the performing arts space.
Locally, Joshua is known as the co-founder and Artistic Director of charitable production company, Jopuka.
Inspired by the Black Summer bushfires and subsequent climate protests, Very Happy Children with Bright and Wonderful Futures blends activism with performance.
Writing and producing the play over the last two years, the production is told through the eyes of young climate activists whose views are dismissed even as bushfires threaten their hometown.
“I am incredibly honoured to have this play published by PlayLab as it’s been one of the most enduring projects I have ever worked on, coupled with themes that are deeply personal to me,” Joshua said.
“This play is by young people, for young people, and it was inspired in large part by the climate protests of 2019-20 and the subsequent demonisation by right-wing media and some politicians of its largely young participants.
“The teen protagonists in the play are in turn hopeful, angry, disappointed and terrified as their world crumbles around them, but the production resounds with hope in the next generation and their passion to change the world for the better,” he said.
Aside from his writing credentials, Joshua was Central Coast Council’s Arts Cultural and Entertainment Citizen of The Year and Central Coast Volunteer of the Year in 2020.
He has also been heavily involved with other movements, particularly the marriage equality referendum campaign in 2018 and action against climate change.
The origins of the story pay homage to Joshua’s activist roots.
“I was standing in the middle of the School Strike 4 Climate Action in Adelaide in March 2019 (and) I was just so inspired by the voice these young people had and just knew I wanted to bring that moment to the stage.
“I hope sharing this play makes an impact in some big or small way and that’s ideally action on climate change.
“This work is my response to the climate, but also my contribution … if I can make a bigger contribution as the play grows, then I will wholeheartedly commit to that,” he said.
Nicola Riches