Critically acclaimed memoir Fourteen adapted for stage, begins national tour

Equal parts uplifting and heart wrenching, the stage production Fourteen addresses the challenge of being secretly gay at a regional Queensland high school.

Shake & Stir production of Fourteen features actor Conor Leach and was written by Shannon Molloy. Pic: Mark Cranitch.

A best-selling memoir about “hellish” experience of growing up gay in regional Queensland has been transformed into a must-see theatre production that was bringing inspiration and its nostalgic mixtape of 90s bangers to Townsville next month.

Fourteen is award-winning journalist Shannon Molloy’s inspirational true story about being a secretly gay year 9 student attending an all-boys rugby-mad Catholic school in Central Queensland in 1999.

Equal parts uplifting and heart wrenching, Fourteen addresses the trials and tribulations during a year of self-discovery, set amid a backdrop of torment, bullying and betrayal – not just at the hands of his peers, but by the adults who were meant to protect him.

After his 2020 book became a critically acclaimed bestseller, Mr Molloy said it became a sellout smash hit when it was adapted for the stage by Shake & Stir Theatre Co for the 2021 Brisbane Festival.

He was excited to see Conor Leach return to play himself, and for Fourteen to reach a wider audience through a national tour, which will appear at the Townsville Civic Theatre on July 11.

“We’re six stops into a 20 top tour across the country over four months, with a big focus on non-metropolitan areas. That was really important to me, given my story was born in the regions,” Mr Molloy said.

“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.

Best-selling author and award-winning journalist Shannon Molloy shared his inspirational true story in Fourteen. Photo: Joel Devereux

“The enormous two-level set is spectacular, the cast is incredibly talented, and the entire experience is both deeply moving and incredibly entertaining.”

Shake & Stir Artistic Director Ross Balbuziente said Fourteen struck a delicate balance between trauma and tribulation and the humour and heart that ultimately triumphed.

Conor Leach stars in Shake & Stir Theatre Co's stage adaptation of Fourteen, the inspirational true story by Shannon Molloy. Photo: Shake & Stir Theatre Co.

Conor Leach stars in Shake & Stir Theatre Co's stage adaptation of Fourteen. Photo: Shake & Stir Theatre Co.

“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.

Director Nick Skubij said it was important to present the story’s delicate and important issues with truth, fearlessness and care.

Conor Leach stars in Shake & Stir Theatre Co's stage adaptation of Fourteen, the inspirational true story by Shannon Molloy. Photo: Shake & Stir Theatre Co.

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said the government’s support for Shake & Stir’s work advances the priorities of its 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.

For more information, visit the Townsville Ticket Shop.

Originally published as Critically acclaimed memoir Fourteen adapted for stage, begins national tour