The production is being directed by Alex Byrne from NIE and devised by an amalgam of the two Companies. It struck me how open the practitioners were to the opportunities to not only create a great production but to learn from each other's processes. In England we can be too protective of our own territory, especially with theatre for young audiences.

The seminar debated many things not least the part young people should play in the making of professional theatre and what topics should be ‘allowed’ in theatre for young audiences. Do we have too many taboos? Are we too protective of our young people? The inspiring Belgium Company Kopergietery are an example of an organisation which celebrates what it means to be young, warts and all. In partnership with Ontroerend Goed they produced the thrilling and subversive Once And For All We’re Gonna Tell You Who We Are So Shut Up And Listen which took Edinburgh by storm in 2008 and is returning to BAC in April.

The seminar was successful because proper debate enthralled and challenged all of our perceptions. We did not sit and ‘agree’ with each other, we argued and celebrated our work. Most importantly we talked about ways of working together in the future. Congratulations to NIE, this is a great initiative towards an exciting future.