A powerful new theatre work exploring the realities of Australia’s youth justice system is heading to Melbourne, with Saplings set to make its Victorian premiere at Arts Centre Melbourne from 28 July to 1 August.
Presented by the Australian Theatre for Young People, the acclaimed production arrives following a strong national response and a Sydney Theatre Award win for Best Production for Young People. Written by Yuwaalaraay playwright Hannah Belanszky and directed by Kalkadoon woman Abbie-lee Lewis, Saplings centres the voices often left out of the conversation.
Drawn from workshops and interviews with incarcerated young people across New South Wales, the show weaves together a series of stories that move between humour and heartbreak. Set against a soundtrack of rap and hip-hop created by young people within the system, it offers an unfiltered look at the consequences faced by those caught up in it.
“In 2022, with Raise The Age, Australia debated whether a child could be held criminally responsible at the age of 10. In 2026, some Australian states have implemented Adult Crime, Adult Time laws. The conversation continues but it’s not happening with the people it directly affects – the young people,” says Director Abbie-lee Lewis.
On stage, four young performers take on multiple roles, shifting between characters and perspectives in a production that is as fluid as it is confronting. Talijah Blackman-Corowa, Maliyan Blair, Sam Harmon and Danny Howard bring these stories to life with a focus on authenticity and emotional weight.
Rather than offering easy answers, Saplings asks audiences to sit with the complexity. It challenges assumptions about accountability, responsibility and the systems designed to support young people but often fail them.
Following its Melbourne season, the production continues its national tour, reaching audiences across multiple states and territories. For local audiences, this short run offers a rare chance to see a work that speaks directly, and unapologetically, from the perspective of young people navigating one of the country’s most contested systems.
Tickets from artscentremelbourne.com.au
