THEATRE WORKS presents SOLDIER BOY - Limited Season

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Thu 19 Jun 2025 - Sat 05 Jul 2025

This June, THEATRE WORKS presents SOLDIER BOY - the poignant story of Private James Martin, the youngest known ANZAC soldier, who enlisted at just 14 years old. Through his journey, the bold new production invites audiences to reckon with the complexities of duty, patriotism, and youth in the shadow of war.

SOLDIER BOY is adapted for the stage by award-winning Australian author Anthony Hill and based on his best-selling book Soldier Boy: The True Story of Jim Martin the Youngest Anzac. Published by Penguin Books in 2001, Soldier Boy: The True Story of Jim Martin the Youngest Anzac has been reprinted many times and sold over 100,000 copies. Within a month of its publication, Jim Martin had entered the gallery of Australian military heroes.

"Once in a generation, a mysterious wish for war passes through the people. Their instinct tells them that there is no other way of progress and of escape from habits that no longer fit them . . . There is no other way. Only by intense sufferings can the nations grow" - Sir Ian Hamilton, Commander in Chief, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli Campaign.
At just 14 years old, Private James Martin enlisted to fight for his country, not knowing he would never return home. SOLDIER BOY follows his journey from Melbourne to the battlefields of Gallipoli.

Directed by Beng Oh, this visually and emotionally charged production depicts the Passion of James Martin in his final hours as he grapples with his choice to serve, the loved ones he left behind, and his legacy. A constantly evolving landscape of memory and reality illuminates the stark contrasts between the innocence of youth and the brutal realities of combat.

SOLDIER BOY honours Jim's story while offering a fresh, contemporary perspective on the ANZAC legacy - bridging history and the present in a new theatre of war.

As an independent theatre company, THEATRE WORKS approaches these stories not to glorify war, but to hold space for remembrance, reflection, and conversation.

Tickets are now on sale at https://www.theatreworks.org.au/2025/soldier-boy

DATES + TIMES
+ Thursday 19 June 7:30pm (PREVIEW)
+ Friday 20 June 7:30pm (PREVIEW)
+ Saturday 21 June 7:30pm (OPENING)

+ Tuesday 24 June 7:30pm
+ Wednesday 25 June 11:30am
+ Wednesday 25 June 7:30pm
+ Thursday 26 June 11:30am
+ Thursday 26 June 7:30pm
+ Friday 27 June 11:30am
+ Friday 27 June 7:30pm
+ Saturday 28 June 7:30pm

+ Tuesday 1 July 7:30pm
+ Wednesday 2 July 11:30am
+ Wednesday 2 July 7:30pm
+ Thursday 3 July 11:30am
+ Thursday 3 July 7:30pm
+ Friday 4 July 11:30am
+ Friday 4 July 7:30pm
+ Saturday 5 July 7:30pm

TICKETS

FULL PRICE
$55.00

CONCESSION*
$48.00

PREVIEW
$40.00

RUSH TIX**
$35.00

MOB TIX
$25.00

*Seniors, Student, MEAA, Health Care and Low Income card holders
**Limited to 20 tickets per performance

For more information on the production and ticketing options, please see www.theatreworks.org.au

For all the latest on what's on and special offers, follow @TheatreWorksStKilda on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.

Written and adapted by Anthony Hill from his book
Director Beng Oh
Sound design and composition Jack Burmeister
Lighting design by Sidney Younger
Set design by Harry Gill
Stage manager and operator Ella Thompson
Directing secondment Jessica Fallico

CAST
Philip Hayden
Laura Iris Hill
Emily Joy
Marc Opitz
Ashlynn Parigi
Oliver Tapp
Charlie Veitch
Mark Yeates

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