Trent Dalton’s multi-award-winning novel Boy Swallows Universe is set for the stage.
The producers of Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Global Creatures, have secured the stage rights to develop and produce the live stage theatrical adaptation of Boy Swallows Universe.
Boy Swallows Universe has sold over a million copies and been published in 34 territories. The book was also turned into a hit Netflix series.
Global Creatures has developed and launched six productions across four continents, including Moulin Rouge! The Musical, King Kong, Muriel’s Wedding The Musical, Strictly Ballroom The Musical, How to Train Your Dragon and Walking With Dinosaurs The Arena Spectacular.
Boy Swallows Universe is set in Brisbane, Australia in 1985, centred on the life of Eli Bell. A lost father, a mute brother, a junkie mum, a heroin dealer for a stepfather and a notorious crim for a babysitter – Eli Bell’s life is complicated. He’s just trying to follow his heart and understand what it means to be a good man, but fate keeps throwing obstacles in his way – not the least of which is Tytus Broz, legendary Brisbane drug dealer.
But now Eli’s life is going to get a whole lot more serious: he’s about to meet the father he doesn’t remember, break into Boggo Road Gaol on Christmas Day to rescue his mum, come face to face with the criminals who tore his world apart, and fall in love with the girl of his dreams. A story of brotherhood, true love and the most unlikely of friendships, Boy Swallows Universe is heartbreaking, joyous and exhilarating.
Trent Dalton said in a statement: “I am so frequently awed by what Carmen Pavlovic and Global Creatures are able to create for theatrical stages across the world. Absolute Oz-made international bar raisers. They always seem to me to be chasing the kind of electrifying soul wallop that I tried to bring to Boy Swallows Universe, back when that more-than-semi-autobiographical story first broke loose from the rusty prison bars of my heart and turned itself into a book. It’s nothing less than a theatrical dream come true for me to embark on this journey with a global team as profoundly protective of where that story comes from as it is electrified by its creatively boundless and geographically borderless theatrical potential.”
Global Creatures’ producer and Tony Award winner Carmen Pavlovic said: “Trent Dalton is one of the most dynamic voices in Australian literature and his thrilling debut novel Boy Swallows Universe is one of my favourite books ever. I’m honoured to collaborate with Trent to reimagine his remarkable and deeply personal story for the stage. The show promises to be a theatrical event that brings to life the powerful and uplifting worlds of brothers Eli and Gus.”
There are no current details about a world premiere production of Boy Swallows Universe.
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