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image of person or book cover 7132360271954161656.jpg
Image courtesy of publisher's website.
y separately published work icon Boy Swallows Universe single work   drama  
Adaptation of Boy Swallows Universe Trent Dalton , 2018 single work novel
Issue Details: First known date: 2020... 2020 Boy Swallows Universe
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'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.

Production Details

  • 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.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

First known date: 2020
    • London,
      c
      England,
      c
      c
      United Kingdom (UK),
      c
      Western Europe, Europe,      :       Fourth Estate ,       2022 .
      image of person or book cover 7132360271954161656.jpg
      Image courtesy of publisher's website.
      Extent: 128p.
      Note/s:
      • Published May 4, 2022
      ISBN: 9781460715017
VIEW PUBLICATION DETAILS FOR ALL VERSIONS ()

Works about this Work

Dreams of Real Life Yen-Rong Wong , 2021 single work review
— Appears in: The Saturday Paper , 11-17 September 2021;
— Review of Boy Swallows Universe Tim McGarry , 2020 single work drama 'The stage adaptation of Boy Swallows Universe is a celebration of Brisbane – the good, the bad and the ugly. By Yen-Rong Wong.'
Trent Dalton's 'Boy Swallows Universe' Premieres at Queensland Theatre as Part of Brisbane Festival Hannah Story , 2021 single work column
— Appears in: ABC News [Online] , September 2021; 'Author Trent Dalton recalls being moved to tears when he sat in early rehearsals for the theatrical adaptation of his bestselling novel Boy Swallows Universe.' (Introduction)
Boy Makes Good Rosemary Neill , 2021 single work review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 14 August 2021; (p. 8)
— Review of Boy Swallows Universe Tim McGarry , 2020 single work drama

'A landmark Queensland Theatre adaptation of Trent Dalton’s debut novel, Boy Swallows Universe, is already breaking box office records, writes ROSEMARY NEILL ' 
Boy Swallows Universe : Theatrical Adaptation of Hit Novel Blends Pain with Nostalgia to Astonishing Effect Alastair Blanshard , 2021 single work review
— Appears in: The Conversation , 6 September 2021;
— Review of Boy Swallows Universe Tim McGarry , 2020 single work drama

'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)
‘Swing for the Fence’ : Bringing Boy Swallows Universe to the Stage Andrew Stafford , 2021 single work column
— Appears in: The Guardian Australia , 2 September 2021;

'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)
Boy Swallows Universe : Theatrical Adaptation of Hit Novel Blends Pain with Nostalgia to Astonishing Effect Alastair Blanshard , 2021 single work review
— Appears in: The Conversation , 6 September 2021;
— Review of Boy Swallows Universe Tim McGarry , 2020 single work drama

'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)
Boy Makes Good Rosemary Neill , 2021 single work review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 14 August 2021; (p. 8)
— Review of Boy Swallows Universe Tim McGarry , 2020 single work drama

'A landmark Queensland Theatre adaptation of Trent Dalton’s debut novel, Boy Swallows Universe, is already breaking box office records, writes ROSEMARY NEILL ' 
Dreams of Real Life Yen-Rong Wong , 2021 single work review
— Appears in: The Saturday Paper , 11-17 September 2021;
— Review of Boy Swallows Universe Tim McGarry , 2020 single work drama 'The stage adaptation of Boy Swallows Universe is a celebration of Brisbane – the good, the bad and the ugly. By Yen-Rong Wong.'
Milestones Rosemary Neill , 2019 single work column
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 2 November 2019; (p. 26)

'Celebrating 50 years of QTC, Stables and the people's playwright, David Williamson'
‘Swing for the Fence’ : Bringing Boy Swallows Universe to the Stage Andrew Stafford , 2021 single work column
— Appears in: The Guardian Australia , 2 September 2021;

'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)
Trent Dalton's 'Boy Swallows Universe' Premieres at Queensland Theatre as Part of Brisbane Festival Hannah Story , 2021 single work column
— Appears in: ABC News [Online] , September 2021; 'Author Trent Dalton recalls being moved to tears when he sat in early rehearsals for the theatrical adaptation of his bestselling novel Boy Swallows Universe.' (Introduction)
VIEW ALL WORKS ABOUT (6)
Last amended 8 Jul 2022 14:49:56
Subjects:
Settings:
  • Brisbane, Queensland,
  • 1980s
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