Inspired by a personal moment of profound love and generosity, Adelaide Festival presents Trent Dalton’s Love Stories in the Dunstan Playhouse – Adelaide Festival Centre from 12 – 16 March 2025.
Sitting on a street corner with a typewriter, an author solicits love stories from passers-by. An exuberant and kaleidoscopic series of vignettes follows, based on stories told by real people.
A man proposes to his girlfriend via flash mob; grandparents describe their love for their grandchildren; a woman reconnects with her heroin addicted mother; a widow grieves the loss of her husband.
Interwoven through these narratives is the author’s own love story with his wife, bestselling author – and one of Australia’s finest journalists – Trent Dalton spent two months in 2021 gathering stories on his sky-blue 1960s Olivetti typewriter, on a prominent street corner in Brisbane’s CBD.
Speaking to Australians from all walks of life, he asked them one simple thing: “Can you please tell me a love story?” What followed was Dalton’s unashamedly joyous collection of Love Stories – wise, poignant, funny and moving in all its guises.
Brought to life by the creative team behind the smash-hit page-to-stage adaptation of Boy Swallows Universe with acclaimed playwright Tim McGarry at the helm, Dalton’s vignettes are lovingly adapted into a whirlwind production, merging candid performances from a stellar cast and cine-theatre that will make audiences fall in love all over again.
Directed by Sam Strong, the cast includes Michala Banas, Rashidi Edward, Hsin-Ju Ely, Patrick Jhanur, Jason Klarwein, Angie Milliken, Kirk Page, Ngoc Phan, Bryan Probets, Jacob Watton and Tnee Dyer (camera operator).
“A joyful and exuberant celebration of love.” – The Conversation
Trent Dalton’s Love Stories
Dunstan Playhouse – Adelaide Festival Centre, Festival Drive, Adelaide
Season: 12 – 16 March 2025
Bookings: www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au
For more information, visit: www.adelaidefestival.com.au for details.
Image: Trent Dalton’s Love Stories – photo by Craig Wilkinson