Reviews

The Young Audience: Exploring and Enhancing Children's Experiences of Theatre by Matthew Reason

briannastw's review against another edition

5.0

I picked this up after I heard several people mention this fantastic book at the International Performing Arts for Youth Showcase in Austin this year. This book examines how young people interpret their experiences at the theatre through qualitative inquiry. Matthew Reason's study used drawing and discussion to examine what children find most compelling when they see theatrical performances. This book is a revelation. Reason takes young people with utter seriousness and is careful to peel away the many layers of adult ideas imposed upon children before interpreting children's responses. This should be required reading for anyone working in professional children's theatre. Although it has many culturally specific references to theatre in the UK, I think these ideas could be adapted and transposed for those of us working in children's theatre in the US.