Based on the beloved novel by Anthony Hill, Theatre Works proudly presents, this June, the premiere season of Soldier Boy, the story of Australia’s youngest ANZAC.
2025 marks the 110th Anniversary of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landing at Gallipoli. This compelling adaptation fixes a contemporary lens on the ANZAC legacy, making it newly accessible for young and old alike.
The youngest Australian known to have died in World War I, James Charles Martin was only 14 years and nine months old when he succumbed to typhoid during the Gallipoli campaign. He was one of 20 Australian soldiers under the age of 18 known to have died in this war.
Bridging history and the present, Soldier Boy follows Jim (as he was known) from Melbourne to the battle fields of Gallipoli, immortalising his life in his final hour.
A powerful examination of his choice to serve, his legacy, and the loved ones he left behind, this visually and emotionally charged production is an ever evolving landscape of memory and reality, illuminating the stark contrast between the innocence of youth and the brutal realities of war.
Led by renowned Director Beng Oh, Soldier Boy is brought to the stage by an impressive team of creatives including Green Room Award Winners and Nominees Sidney Younger, Harry Gill and Jack Burmeister, and features Philip Hayden, Laura Iris Hill, Emily Joy, Marc Opitz, Ashlynn Parigi, Oliver Tapp, Charlie Veitch and Mark Yeates.
Included in the 2025 VCE Theatre Studies Playlist, this world first season also creates a priceless opportunity for the next generation of Australian artists and art-makers to engage with aspects of our history in a meaningful and valuable way.
“The moment I heard Soldier Boy was being adapted for the stage, I knew it was something we had to bring to Theatre Works.” explains Executive Director Dianne Toulson. “The original book by Anthony Hill is a poignant and powerful part of Australian literature.”
“It’s a story that speaks to courage, loss, and resilience – all through the eyes of a young boy. We wanted to bring that to life in a way that would reach across generations and make it immediate and human again.”
“This show is also quite a departure from what audiences might expect at Theatre Works. We usually lean into bold, contemporary, and often unconventional works but Soldier Boy is an honest, grounded production that speaks to the time, and honours Jim’s story.”
“The fact that it’s on the VCE Theatre Studies playlist gives us a unique chance to connect with students by presenting a historical story with care, truth, and emotional weight,” said Toulson.
Director: Beng Oh | Featuring: Philip Hayden, Laura Iris Hill, Emily Joy, Marc Opitz, Ashlynn Parigi, Oliver Tapp, Charlie Veitch, Mark Yeates | Sound Design and Composition: Jack Burmeister | Lighting Design: Sidney Younger | Set Design: Harry Gill | Stage Manager / Operator: Ella Thompson | Associate Secondment (Directing): Jessica Fallico | Associate Secondment (Marketing and Producing): Arianna Marchiori | Writer and adaptation: Anthony Hill
Soldier Boy
Theatre Works, 14 Acland Street, St Kilda
Season: 21 June – 5 July 2025 (previews: 19 – 20 June)
Information and Bookings: www.theatreworks.org.au
Image: Laura Iris Hill and Oliver Tapp feature in Soldier Boy – photo by Steven Mitchell Wright