QPAC

Shake & Stir Theatre Co’s powerful, must-see stage adaptation of Fourteen, the inspirational true story by best-selling author and award-winning journalist Shannon Molloy, will embark on major 2024 Australian tour, including a special return season at Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) from 12 June.

Fourteen is an equal-parts uplifting and heart-wrenching account of Shannon’s experience growing up gay in regional Queensland 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.

The production played a sold-out world premiere season as part of the 2022 Brisbane Festival, quickly becoming a Festival favourite for audience and reviewers. The Australian review of the production pronounced it funny, sad and true, saying “this is a play that will save lives.”

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,” Mr 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.”

Shake & Stir’s co-Artistic Directors Nelle Lee and Nick Skubij worked closely with Mr Molloy to reimagine his memoir for the stage with Mr Skubij directing the production.

“To have the opportunity to take a story like Shannon’s and bring it to life with the phenomenal cast that we have assembled is a true joy. Presenting the story’s delicate and important issues with truth, fearlessness and care is what we are all about with this one – and now taking audiences across the country on this roller coaster of nostalgia is going to be a real highlight,” Director Nick Skubij says.

Mr Molloy said seeing his story come to life on QPAC’s stage felt surreal but also represented “a dream come true."

“To be able to do this once was unbelievable. To hit the road and take it to towns and cities across the country, and coming home to Brisbane, is just incredible,” Mr 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.

“I can’t wait for new audiences to come see it - and for many to come again in Brisbane.”

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch congratulated Queensland’s Shake & Stir on its skillful and successful page to stage adaptations that powerfully connect readers and audiences with the work of beloved storytellers through theatre.

“The stage production of Shannon Molloy’s poignant story Fourteen originated from a fantastic collaboration between Shake & Stir, Brisbane Festival and QPAC.

“I am delighted that new audiences will experience this critically acclaimed work that showcases extraordinary Queensland talent through this new national tour of Fourteen,” Minister Enoch said.

“Queensland Government support for Shake & Stir’s work advances the priorities of our 10-year Creative Together strategy to secure a pipeline of employment opportunities for arts and cultural workers, drive social change and strengthen communities, and celebrate our unique Queensland stories locally, nationally and globally,” the Minister said.

QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas said the Centre’s long association with Shake & Stir had seen the development and presentation of many successful new productions, including this compelling stage adaptation of Fourteen.

“Together with Brisbane Festival, we were very proud to co-present the world premiere of Fourteen in 2022 and it was a stellar Festival debut for Shake & Stir,” said Mr Kotzas.

“We share a commitment with the Festival team to support the creation of new Queensland works like Fourteen that go on to have a life beyond our own stages, so we couldn’t be happier to see this production launch a national tour.

“Fourteen will no doubt receive the same critical and audience acclaim across the country as it did in its original season. I highly recommend people experience this moving and uplifting show told with Shake & Stir’s trademark storytelling and sensitivity,” he said.

Conor Leach (Sequin in a Blue Room, MTC’s SLAP. BANG. KISS.) returns to play Shannon in the autobiographical work. “Conor Leach truly is a star.” The Courier-Mail.

The 2024 National Tour of Fourteen commences in April and will visit 20 venues throughout Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Australian Capital Territory, South Australia, Northern Territory and Tasmania, returning to QPAC’s Cremorne Theatre from 12 June.

Tickets are now on sale for the QPAC season at qpac.com.au or phone 136 246.