Parra News April 23 2024

ENTERTAINMENT
MOVIES, TELEVISION, MUSIC AND MORE – PARRAMATTA’S LEADING ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE
MOVING,
FUN AND
MEMORABLE
CASSIDY PEARCE
In 2020, award-winning journalist Shannon
Molloy released Fourteen – a memoir
about growing up gay at an all-boys
rugby-mad Catholic school in regional
Queensland. Now, it’s made its way to
the stage, and it’s heading to Riverside Theatres.
Lead performer Conor Leach has been involved
with ‘Fourteen’ since its original season,
having portrayed Molloy now for almost
two years.
According to Leach, once the script came
across his desk, being a part of the show was
a no-brainer.
“I read the script, and I read the book, and
it just grabbed me immediately. I don’t think
any actor in their right mind would say no,” he
said.
“It’s such a beautiful and moving story, and
I was so drawn to Shannon’s vulnerability in
sharing the story in his book.”
Though playing multiple different versions
of Molloy throughout his life in what is such
a personal role has had its challenges, Conor
said that having him on board during the creative
process has definitely taken some weight
off his shoulders.
“I find acting a very exciting challenge all the
time, but truly the best resource was the book,”
he said.
“Shannon just laid out his story all for me,
and he was the best resource to have, as well
as him being the room. Just getting a sense of
his energy was enormously useful.
“There’s a lot of mental gymnastics in the
show in terms of who I am at any given time
– am I 14-year-old Shannon, or 30-year-old
Shannon?”
But, with the show set against a backdrop
of iconic ‘90s music, Leach assured
there are still plenty of fun
aspects to it for cast and audience
members alike.
“The beauty of the show is that there’s camp,
and there’s comedy, and there’s so many fun
dance routines, but that’s juxtaposed with the
very harsh reality of what Shannon was going
through when he was 14,” he said.
“I love when I get to alternate very quickly
between those moments, because it feels
very lifelike, like tragedy and joy in the same
breath.”
Having not done the show since its original
season, which kicked off in September 2022,
Leach said he can’t wait to bring it back.
“Over the last year and a half, it’s just been
sinking in – the story and the world of the play
and the character. It’s settled a bit,” he said.
“Coming back to the show is like putting on
your favourite pair of jeans – it just feels comfortable
and joyous and truly just such a privilege
to bring a story like this to the stage.”
Assuring he’s not exaggerating when he says
‘Fourteen’ will make you laugh and cry, Leach
said the show isn’t just for one type of person,
with everyone able to get something out of it.
“We’ve had lots of school students who’ve
loved it, lots of families came to see the show
and adored it, lots of older folk who had sons
or grandsons who may have experienced
things like Shannon,” he said.
“It was one of those rare shows where you
could sense how it was moving people and
changing people as you were doing it. It’s a
beautiful celebration of [Molloy’s] story.”
‘Fourteen’ will be on at Riverside Theatres
on Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4. Tickets
start at $34.50. For more information or
to book, visit riversideparramatta.com.au.
Donna Davis MP STATE MEMBER FOR PARRAMATTA
96 George Street, Parramatta NSW 2150 PO Box 745, Parramatta NSW 2124 (02) 9891 4722 parramatta@parliament.nsw.gov.au
PN53613
AUTHORISED BY DONNA DAVIS MP, 96 GEORGE STREET, PARRAMATTA NSW 2150 FUNDED USING PARLIAMENTARY ENTITLEMENTS APRIL 2024
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 « parra news 19