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.
Cassidy Pearce is Parra News' entertainment journalist and beauty columnist. She is a graduate of the University of Technology Sydney.