Brett Sprague’s just out of jail. Reunited with his mum Sandra and brothers Glenn and Stevie, he’s ready to reclaim his life. But things have changed while Brett’s been inside. Girlfriend Michelle may have moved on, Glenn’s moved out and Stevie’s about to be a dad.
As Brett’s disruptive force takes hold, tensions flare and Brett embarks on a drink-fuelled rampage, sweeping his brothers along with him – with terrifying consequences.
Twenty-one years ago, audiences were lining the streets to see the original Griffin production of The Boys. Since then, it’s become a classic of the Australian stage and screen, winning along its way an AWGIE and four AFI Awards.
Following the success of his sold out production of Speaking in Tongues, Artistic Director Sam Strong re-imagines another Griffin classic for a new generation and Sydney Festival.
A powerful, dangerous, visceral descent into the darker parts of our city and our selves.
WARNINGS: This production contains offensive language, adult themes and the use of herbal cigarettes.
In association with Sydney Festival
Director Sam Strong
Assistant Director Luke Rogers
Dramaturg Tahli Corin
Designer Renée Mulder
Composer Kelly Ryall
Lighting Designer Verity Hampson
Associate Lighting Designer Teegan Lee
Fight Director Scott Witt
Stage Manager Edwina Guinness
With Johnny Carr, Cheree Cassidy, Jeanette Cronin, Anthony Gee, Josh McConville, Louisa Mignone, Eryn Jean Norvill
PERFORMANCE DATES
Previews 6, 7, 9, 10 January
Season 13 January – 3 March
Club Griffin 24 January
Subscriber Briefing post-show 17 January
PERFORMANCE TIMES
Monday – Friday 7pm
Saturday 2pm and 7pm
Run Time: 2hrs 20mins, including interval
‘Until The Boys I’d never seen an entire theatre audience suddenly jolt in their seats as one… Immediate, confronting, explosive, The Boys absolutely grabs you by the balls..*****.’ Time Out
‘This production will be remembered for a long time. 9/10.’ Sun Herald
‘Two decades on, it retains its capacity to chill and provoke.’ SMH
‘These are all very good performances. There is a good bleak backyard set with a corrugated iron fence and a slamming screen door by Renee Mulder, and a great harsh, steely score by Kelly Ryall.’ The Australian
‘Director Sam Strong and an impressive cast deliver a riveting production full of menace and noise.’ The Daily Telegraph
‘The Boys is one of the most fiercely entertaining productions you’re likely to see this year. Unequivocally recommended.’ StageNoise
‘A good play, a wonderful design, exemplary ensemble and individual acting, and a director’s hand that guides actors through a text without the necessity to auteur himself, makes this a challenging but a not to be missed theatre experience.’ Kevin Jackson
‘Josh McConville’s turn as a freshly released crim is one of the most terrifying things I’ve seen onstage. Director Sam Strong marshals an ensemble performance of richly detailed realism.’ Cameron Woodhead (The Age)
‘Director Sam Strong…has once again created an astonishing and memorable piece of theatre.’ Oz Baby Boomers
‘Superb theatre. 4.5 stars’. Sunday Telegraph
‘…deeply affecting in its depiction of base, cracked and ruined humanity. Unmissable. 4.5 stars’ Arts Hub
‘Knockout play. Knockout cast. Knockout production’. Crikey
Sam Strong’s production is outstanding – raw, visceral, and terrifying… definitely going to be one of the top shows in the Sydney Festival. Australian Stage Online
Gordon Graham’s script is still fresh, relevant and terrifying… This production is vivid, unrelenting and inescapable in its nature, but at the same time is compelling and completely consuming…The cast are simply superb. Stage Whispers
‘What unfolds is as devastating as it feels real, and nightmarish in its intensity’. Concrete Playground
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