YOU’RE sitting in the theatre foyer. Everything is dark save the glow of smartphones in front of you, next to you and behind you, illuminating the faces of every person in the audience.

You’ve been asked to log on to a special social media site, and everyone is trying to connect.

All of a sudden, it starts to rain lollies. Chocolate, chupa chups and gummy lollies seemingly fall from the sky. 

A giggling Maddy Weeks, with pink pants and a silver sequined hat, bounds across the floor.

“Don’t get any in your eyes!” she’ll scream as she flings a packet your way.

This isn’t a play, it’s chaos, and it's wonderful.

A combination of so many elements - gameshow, team-games, improvisations, live music, comedy, documentary - Slide is completely original.

A joint project between Be Seen Be Heard and The Lieder Theatre, the production is a dynamic, interactive, multi-discipline theatre experience, built upon a series of discussions and workshops with local youth and the issues they face in a regional environment.

It’s loud, it’s boisterous, it’s young. 

The small, skilled cast including Britt Lewis, Jack Bell, Ethan.RN, Steph Warden, Agata Nabaglo, Peta Treble, Emmi Robinson and Linden Fennamore front more than 50 behind the scenes crew and collaborators for the show.

Structurally, I can’t begin to explain what went on.

Weeks, as the host, leads the audience through a series of games, social media prompts and scripted performance. Skits based on the five senses - sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell - split the show into themes.

In between, real stories from real youth are played on one of countless screens on stage.

It’s hilariously funny at times, soberingly silent at others. That’s what is so effective about it, it’s relatable. 

One minute you are laughing at a wild improvisation involving the mayor and some damp laundry - the next, hearing prerecorded first person stories from Goulburn youth on coming out to their parents, self-harm, bullying and self-esteem.

There’s a degree of comfort in the chaos of Slide; to know you aren’t the only one dealing with these issues. To know there are other people out there, a collective of people who can relate to what you are going through if only you are brave enough to say so.

In the beginning, you are told that during the show you’ll get a look into the minds of Goulburn youth, of the actors and even yourself.

While generally I think anything that outwardly promises self-reflection is a bit pretentious, Slide really makes you wonder.

Do you follow the crowd when you know it’s the wrong thing to go?

Is it ok to judge someone based on what they wear, or how much money they have?

How do you support someone who is feeling low?

Do you change yourself to be noticed?

Is the way we see ourselves truly how other people see us?

And, finally, are we really as alone in our problems as we think?

• Slide is on for only a very limited time at the theatre, with shows on tonight (Thursday), tomorrow (Friday), and Saturday from 7:30pm. On Saturday, a matinee will also be held at 2pm.

For more information call 48 215 066, or visit www.liedertheatre.com.

A language warning has been placed on this production because, hey, young people swear.