This play is an adaptation of a young girl's diary, the girl in question lived in the former Yugoslavia during the civil war. It's not unlike Anne Frank's experience, but more recent and perhaps more relevant to today's audience.

As we watch, and gain the slightest insight into her experiences, we are dragged emotionally from laughter to near tears. The play is extremely fast paced, creating an exciting, energised piece. The set design (by Evelyn Barbour) is refreshingly innovative and the set is used in numerous ways, representing several different locations successfully. Gerry Mulgrew's direction is very physical in style, which animates Zlata's diary entries well, although there are some parts that are a little jerky.

Zlata is as happy as any normal, middle class kid, going to school and watching MTV. The political climate rises, unsettling her parents who grow tired with worry but do as much as they can to keep their daughter unaware of the situation. Slowly everything begins to grow worse, and we see through a child's eyes what war really means.

Much of the music is live by Allan Tall and the rest of the cast, Zlata (Frances Thorburn) also plays the piano. It is very relevant to the atmosphere, moving the audience into the midst of another culture, setting the scene and tone beautifully.

With a cast of seven, playing both adults and children, the acting is strong and consistent throughout. I would strongly recommend seeing this piece, despite its cringe-worthy end sequence where a more mature Zlata meets a personification of her diary, a mirror of her past. Still, thought-provoking, engaging theatre.