Fourteen

After premiering at the Brisbane Festival in 2022, and going on to sell out for two seasons, this year’s tour of Fourteen to the Top End promises to fan the Darwin Festival flames with two hot shows at Darwin Entertainment Centre.

^{By Jenna Hoare}

FOURTEEN SHARES THE powerful true story and best-selling memoir of a teenager growing up gay in regional Australia. The production’s lead actor, Conor Leach, portrays the highs and lows of life for Shannon Molly, who the recreated show is based on.

“I read the book and I was immediately staggered by it … I was lucky enough to be offered the role and had a whirlwind original season in Brisbane creating the show from the ground up. And now we get to tour it around,” Leach says.

Set 25 years ago in central Queensland, Leach lights up the stage in cahoots with a talented cast, inviting you to take a trip down memory lane and challenge the cultural norms of Australia in the 90s. 

“Meeting Shannon Molly was the greatest joy. To witness him talk about his experiences … It gave the work a real, strong foundation,” Leach says. 

“Shannon has also been very generous in giving me freedom to interpret the script and interpret the role in a way that is authentic to me.” 

While Fourteen covers serious themes of identity, self-worth and sexuality, Leach says there’s a lighter play on pop culture, with a soundtrack sure to get you bopping in your seats. 

“It’s full of bangers. The show is full of nostalgia. And of course, 90s fashion is massively popular right now. It feels very current in a way,” he says. 

“You will laugh, you will cry, you will dance, and you will have the time of your life.”

So, do yourself a favour this month and scoot along to see Fourteen.

Fourteen
WHEN THU 15 & FRI 16 AUG | 7PM
AT DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE
COST $44-$48
INFO yourcentre.com.au

_{Photo: Dylan Evans}