In a deeply moving staged production of Soldier Boy, adapted from Anthony Hill’s celebrated novel, director Beng Oh delivers a poignant and profoundly human story about our youngest ANZAC to have died on active service.
First published in 2001, Hill’s novel blends biography and historical narrative to tell the true story of 14-year-old Private James Martin, a boy from Victoria, driven by patriotism and a desire for adventure, who lied about his age to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force.
Beng Oh’s direction is thoughtful and restrained, allowing the raw power of the story to shine through without sentimentality. Scenes shift with fluidity, supported by spare yet evocative staging that conjures both the suburban streets of 1915 Australia and the muddy terror of Gallipoli. Oh wisely leans into the quiet moments, reminding us that war is not just history, but heartbreak lived moment by moment by those affected individuals.
At the heart of the show is Oliver Tapp’s astonishing portrayal James Martin. Tapp’s performance is grounded in innocence and lit with youthful idealism. Tapp captures the boyish enthusiasm of a teenager swept up in dreams of glory, then gradually leads us through the growing shadow of war with such heartbreaking subtlety.
As Frank’s mother, Marian, Laura Iris Hill’s performance is grounded in the quiet strength of a woman trying to hold her family together as war unravels it thread by thread. She conveys the unbearable ache of a mother watching her child step into history – and out of reach.
They are equally supported by a stellar cast including Philip Hayden, Emily Joy, Marc Opitz, Ashlynn Parigi, Charlie Veitch and Mark Yeates, who enrich Frank’s world with authenticity, whether they be family members or soldiers on the battlefield or the troop ship.
The design team have crafted a world that feels heartbreakingly real yet poetically heightened. Effectively lit by Sidney Younger, Viv Hargreaves minimalist multi-level set offers a multi-functional space that transitions effortlessly from home to battlefield.
Jack Burmeister’s sound design underscores the emotional landscape with subtlety and power, while Adrienne Chisholm’s costumes add a level of authenticity to the narrative. Every design choice in this production is purposeful, elevating the storytelling at every turn.
This Soldier Boy is no dry history lesson. It’s a living, breathing elegy to lost youth, to courage in its most fragile form, and to the aching cost of sacrifice. In an age where the meaning of heroism is often blurred, this production restores its gravity with clarity and grace.
Soldier Boy
Theatre Works, 14 Acland Street, St Kilda
Performance: Saturday 21 June 2025
Season continues to 5 July 2025
Information and Bookings: www.theatreworks.org.au
Images: Oliver Tapp and Laura Iris Hill in Soldier Boy – photo by Steven Mitchell Wright | Charlie Veitch, Oliver Tapp, Mark Opitz (front), Emily Joy, Ashlynn Parigi (back) in Soldier Boy – photo by Steven Mitchell Wright | Oliver Tapp and Emily Joy in Soldier Boy – photo by Steven Mitchell Wright
Review: Rohan Shearn