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'Eli Bell’s childhood in the outer Brisbane suburbs is far from the idyllic 1980s haze some kids would remember. His alcoholic dad has shot through, his ex-druggie mum is in jail, his stepfather’s dealing heroin, his brother Gus is a mute who swirls cryptic messages in the air with his finger, and his babysitter Slim is a convicted killer and infamous escapee from Boggo Road Gaol.
'Beset by chaos on all sides, a run-in with the local crime king and his henchman sets the 13 year old with the old soul on a journey to find out what kind of a man he is going to be.'
Source: Publisher's blurb.
Originally planned for production by Queensland Theatre Company and Brisbane Festival at the Playhouse, QPAC, 29 August to 19 September 2020.
Director: Sam Strong.
Designer: Renée Mulder.
Lighting Designer: Ben Hughes.
Composer/Sound Designer: Steve Francis.
Video Designer: Craig Wilkinson.
Movement Director: Nerida Matthaei.
Production postponed, but not initially cancelled, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic: due for performance at Brisbane Festival 2021.
Produced by the Queensland Theatre Company and Brisbane Festival in association with Queensland Performing Arts Centre, 30 August - 18 September 2021.
Director: Sam Strong.
'Trent Dalton's bestseller hits the stage in a meticulous adaptation that explores its light and dark themes.'
'A landmark Queensland Theatre adaptation of Trent Dalton’s debut novel, Boy Swallows Universe, is already breaking box office records, writes ROSEMARY NEILL '
'There are many ways of dealing with trauma. Repression. Denial. Anger. Nostalgia? Boy Swallows Universe, the theatrical adaptation of Trent Dalton’s best-selling novel, which opened the Brisbane Festival last Friday makes a strong case for reworking and sentimentalising your pain.' (Introduction)
'There are many ways of dealing with trauma. Repression. Denial. Anger. Nostalgia? Boy Swallows Universe, the theatrical adaptation of Trent Dalton’s best-selling novel, which opened the Brisbane Festival last Friday makes a strong case for reworking and sentimentalising your pain.' (Introduction)
'A landmark Queensland Theatre adaptation of Trent Dalton’s debut novel, Boy Swallows Universe, is already breaking box office records, writes ROSEMARY NEILL '
'Trent Dalton's bestseller hits the stage in a meticulous adaptation that explores its light and dark themes.'
'Celebrating 50 years of QTC, Stables and the people's playwright, David Williamson'
'On the face of it, bringing Trent Dalton’s 471-page debut novel, Boy Swallows Universe, to the stage sounds impossible. The Brisbane-based author summarises his initial response to playwright Tim McGarry – who approached him with a proposal to adapt his massive manuscript before the book had even been published – as “good luck to you, mate”.' (Introduction)
