Desiree Din is the point five of the 2.5 kids in a nuclear family. Small, strange and the last in line for everything, Desiree retreats to her dollhouse in the red forest. The problem is that Desiree is forgetting her own family. Her brother and sister are in danger. A massive family duty rests on Desiree's small, uncertain shoulders.

Desiree Din and the Red Forest follows Desiree, her older sister and brother Iona and Asher as they prepare for major changes at home. After a family fight, Desiree is led into the Red Forest by a strange new friend. It's a magical place where the frightened forest creatures are battling to save everything they know.

From the magical mind of 23 year old multi-award winning Brisbane playwright Maxine Mellor comes a fairy tale for a new generation. A play you can bring your parents to; but watch out, some parts are scary as.

Australian Theatre for Young People specialises in putting young people centre stage. This exciting new play has been commissioned and developed by atyp, written by three time winner of Qld Theatre Company's Young Playwright's Award Maxine Mellor, and includes the wild ideas of designer Tobhiyah Feller and extraordinarily beautiful costume designs from award winning children's book illustrator and author, Rod Clement.

With characters from the real world clashing with the wild of the Red Forest, it's a wonderful, brand-new, dark little tale for young actors and audiences alike.

Maxine has been a member of atyp's Fresh Ink program since 2008. She began working on Desiree Din and the Red Forest at the Fresh Ink Bundanon writers' residency in 2009.

Fresh Ink is atyp's program of writing workshops and residencies aimed at nurturing and spotlighting the next generation of Australian writers.

Under the skilful direction of Fraser Corfield, a young cast of eleven atyp actors will bring this magical production to life.

Suitable for ages 8+

Director: Fraser Corfield,
Dramaturg: Saffron Benner,
Designer: Tobhiyah Feller,
Associate Designer: Rod Clement,
Composer and Sound Designer: Scott Saunders,
Lighting Designer: Eddie Welsh,
Assistant Director: Susie Hardgrave,
Stage Manager: Bron Millar

Cast: Madeleine Benson, Alice Birbara, Kasey Clarke, Tom Crotty, Nathalie Fenwick, Chantelle Gooch, Ava Karuso-Thurn, Madeleine Maganas, Paul Musumeci, Sydney Nicholas, Hannah Pollard.

SEASON DETAILS:
VENUE: atyp Studio 1, The Wharf, Pier 4/5, Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay
DATES: November 18 – December 4
PERFORMANCES: Wed – Sat 7pm, Sun 5pm, Wed & Fri 10.30am
PRICES: $20 full / $17 conc / $15 supporters and groups of 10+
BOOKINGS: call atyp on (02) 9270 2400 or book online at the website