Shake & Stir Theatre Company’s powerful adaptation of Fourteen, the inspirational true story by best-selling author and award-winning journalist Shannon Molloy, will play at The Art House, Wyong, on Thursday, May 16.
“Back in 2020, I wrote a memoir, Fourteen, about my hellish experience of growing up gay in regional Queensland in the 1990s – a book that was equal parts confronting and uplifting,” Molloy said.
“It was a critically acclaimed best-seller and later adapted for the stage for the Brisbane Festival in 2021.
“The production was a sell-out smash hit and is now embarking on a national tour.
“We kick off in Sydney but then take in 20 other stops across the country over five months, with a big focus on non-metropolitan areas.
“That was really important to me, given my story was born in the regions.
“The show is heartbreaking, hilarious, hopeful and very, very camp.
“As well as dealing with issues like bullying and violence, it also features some very spirited choreography, plenty of nostalgia and a banging late 90s pop soundtrack.
“The enormous two-level set is spectacular, the cast is incredibly talented, and the entire experience is both deeply moving and incredibly entertaining.”
The play outlines Molloy’s experiences at an all-boys rugby-mad Catholic school; the bullying, torment, and betrayal as well as the moments of resilience, love and hilarity that punctuated his 14th year.
Shake & Stir Artistic Director Ross Balbuziente said Fourteen struck a delicate balance between trauma and tribulation and the humour and heart that ultimately triumphed.
“We owed it to Shannon – and anybody else whose experiences mirror his – not to shy away from the more triggering moments and challenging themes, but we also wanted to show the absolute power friendship and family can have on a 14-year-old,” Balbuziente said.
“The production stays true to the era of Fourteen featuring plenty of 90s pop culture references and a mixtape of bangers from Shania Twain to J.Lo.”
Molloy said the response to the show was “phenomenal and very moving”.
“Thousands of people resonated with my story and fell in love with the world Shake & Stir created,” he said.
“I can’t wait for new audiences to come see it.”
Fourteen will be at The Art House Wyong at 7pm on Thursday, May 16.
Book at thearthousewyong.com.au