THIS original piece of theatre, written by the cast of Characters Stage Company, the Bristol Old Vic, writer in residence, Tom Wainwright, and directed by Sara Griffiths, is acted entirely by a cast of young people.

The insightful play deals with both the future and the past; the old are forgotten and the young don’t know how to be. It challenges the notion that old people are out of touch, and by bringing the generations together collectively, together they try to work out the meaning of life, whilst on the cusp of death or with an uncertain future ahead.

The play runs continuously for an hour and a quarter, and storyboards the ups and downs of the opposites, who find themselves thrown together, needing to make sense of a world that offers little hope for either generation. It creates political dialogue and airs common debates raging within the voices of both the young and old.

The comic highlight of the play are the wonderful Olive (played by Olivia Walker) and Betty (Isabella Senior), who sit at the back chuntering amusingly away, innocently observing the unfolding storyline. There are great performances from all the cast; but stand-outs are elderly war veteran Gerald (played by Gareth Powell), the hapless Fred (Fin Griffin), disillusioned care worker Caroline (Izzy Pittman), as well as teenagers Alex (Holly Masson) and Krissie (Kaleisha Standen), whose incredible acappella rendition mid play is haunting and melodic.

The youngest cast member, Amy Di Marco, aged 10, gives a remarkable performance as Aggie, a feisty elderly woman, dramatically outing the unspoken truth with her hard hitting line: "We’re all going to die - soon!”

A thought-provoking evening, with moments of laughter and sadness.

Clare McNaughton