From the author of 'Boy Swallows Universe', Trent Dalton, comes the theatrical presentation of 'Trent Dalton's Love Stories', playing as part of North Australian Festival Of Arts.
'Love Stories' is very much the product of community – and people of all walks of life willing to pour their hearts out to Trent.
In 2021, Trent ventured outside with a sky-blue 1960s typewriter, with one simple question: 'can you please tell me a love story?'
“I had a desk, a typewriter, two chairs and a sign saying ‘Sentimental writer collecting love stories. Do you have one to share?’,” Trent says. “I sat on that corner for 2 months on and off and 150 people stopped and said ‘I’ve got a story’.”
“It was the most remarkable journalistic writing exercise of my life. All these people just kept on stopping and sharing their hearts.”
The generosity of the public, who opened up to Trent and reminded him of the complexity of the human experience, has been lovingly crafted into what audiences at North Australian Festival Of Arts will see as part of this year's festival.
Check out the full NAFA programme.
Trent's got his own connection to Townsville.
“I can’t wait to come to Townsville and just be present. I can't wait for that first moment when someone in Townsville comes up and says ‘I’ve got a story’,” he says.
“Townsville has always had a very special place in my heart. The untold chapters of 'Boy Swallows Universe' was the period where my mum went up to Townsville to live and the Dalton boys would spend summers and school holidays off going to visit our mum up on the Strand.”
The team behind the smash-hit page-to-stage adaptation of 'Boy Swallows Universe' reunite to bring 'Love Stories' to life on stage.
As for what sorts of stories audiences can expect. . . A father prepares himself for the day he lets go of his daughter's hand. . . A young man breaks up with his girlfriend so they can each follow their dreams. . . A couple put up a front in public to hide the fractures at home. . . A woman rebuilds herself along with a flood-devastated city. . . A working mum contemplates taking the photographs of her late husband off the fridge. . . A grandmother dreams of seeing her grandson's face. . . A 100-year-old scientist ponders the one puzzle he was never able to solve: what is love?
These are all stories from real people.
“I want to write something about hope. I want to write something about connectedness and meaning,” Trent says of his work. “Everything I’m on this planet for is to learn from stories told to me, and I funnel it back out to somebody else and they might tell another story back.”
As for heading to North Australian Festival Of Arts, Trent is excited not only to present the production, but to hear from the people there.
“Townsville is just an incredible storytelling place. Such incredible military history, such incredible multi-cultural history. I cannot imagine how many love stories exist in that beautiful city.”
'Trent Dalton's Love Stories' plays Townsville Civic Theatre (North Australian Festival Of Arts) 4-11 October.
