10 - 20 August 2023 You Can’t Tell Anyone by Joanna Richards

WORLD PREMIERE
A CANBERRA YOUTH THEATRE COMMISSION

We should at least play until we’ve all had our feelings hurt.
Who came up with this game?
Someone who hated their friends.

Winner of the 2021 Emerging Playwright Commission

It’s the end of school and Gwen is throwing a party. After an emotional year, her friends are keen to spend the night drinking, playing games, and arguing about literally everything. But when a party game spirals out of control, long-held tensions start to strain and snap. Are the friends messing with each other? Or is there a bigger threat pounding at the door?

Lured ever deeper by the thrill of unfolding secrets, the lines between honesty and cruelty begin to blur. Confrontation gives way to chaos, breaking bonds of trust, and testing the rules we cling to in order to keep us safe.

You Can’t Tell Anyone is a philosophical thriller that examines how teenagers survive the loss of meaning, structure, and identity that comes with the end of adolescence.

It asks us what it means to truly know someone, to truly be a friend, and to truly be yourself.

This performance is supported by Canberra Theatre Centre, as part of a commitment to nurturing the young and emerging artists of the ACT.

Cast

Creative Team

CONTENT ADVISORY

This production includes adult themes and scenes that may be disturbing to some viewers. It contains flashing lights, strong language, references to suicide and self-harm, sexual assault, and violence. For more detailed information, please email us at info@canberrayouththeatre.com.au