“Fourteen” is a stage adaptation of journalist, Shannon Molloy’s award-winning memoir. It looks at one of the formative and hardest years of his life when he was growing up in the central Queensland suburb of Yeppoon. Shake & Stir Theatre’s production is a highly entertaining one that captures your heart, mind, and funny bone in equal measure.
Molloy’s memoir was published during lockdown and the company previously debuted this work at the Brisbane Festival in 2022. This adaption is by Nelle Lee, director Nick Skubij, and Molloy. The story is a coming-of-age one about Molloy’s life his attendance at an all-boy’s school. It was an institution that was rife with toxic masculinity and homophobic individuals.
Conor Leach “Sequin in A Blue Room” stars as Molloy playing the journalist as a bright-eyed 14-year-old and as a grown man on the eve of his wedding. Leach also serves as the play’s narrator and is excellent in the role. He charms the crowd with his quiet and dignified vulnerability, all while being his authentic and true self.
The teenage years can be tricky ones but they can be even harder when one is navigating things like their sexuality and identity. This show explores all these concepts and does not hold back while exploring darker elements like abuse and bullying. This makes it an important work as it is like a clarion call for the need for inclusivity and acceptance.
While Molloy occasionally lacked support networks at school, he had a loving group of family and friends who rallied around him, which was evident here. His mother who is played by Karen Crone is a protective and supportive figure (quite the antithesis to the hammy schoolgirl model, Jessica, which she also plays!)
Molloy’s besties are played by Amy Ingram and Judy Hainsworth who juggle multiple roles and have great comedic timing. Leon Cain also plays multiple roles including an awful teacher and a very camp student while Ryan Hodson and Steven Rooke round out this excellent, ensemble cast. The whole cast really shine in their different character guises- they are so credible, even when playing characters that are so diametrically opposed.
This show isn’t all doom and gloom. The serious themes are explored with sensitivity which helps make this show a relatable one for anyone who has struggled to fit in. Guy Webster’s sound design really punctuates the different emotions thanks to a perfectly curated selection of 90s pop hits and complementary lighting by Trent Suidgeest. For those who lived during that period, songs from the likes of Shania Twain, Kylie Minogue, S Club 7, Vengaboys, Ace of Bace and more are all perfectly choreographed by Dan Venz. Fabian Holford’s costumes are nostalgic and will make us all relive our youths. They also add pop and colour to the energetic bursts of frenzied activity.
The set by Josh McIntosh is a two-story Queensland house that transitions to provide varied settings including school, home, the community centre, and more. The cast negotiate these transitions and make it all seem so effortless. The rendering is quite nuanced and emotional at times. There are also plenty of bright bursts of rainbow-tinged sunshine to reinforce the desire for hope and joy.
“Fourteen” is quite a complex production, as it explores some challenging themes with a great sensitivity and real heart. It is inspiring to see the power of support in the shape of good family and friends to help us all overcome dark times. It helps remind us that there can be hope in places that seem void of it, and that the spirit can overcome all forms of adversity. “Fourteen” is ultimately a very human story, a love letter to those episodes that shape and make you so that you can dance like it’s an S Club party!