Trophy Boys, the debut play by Australian actor and playwright Emmanuelle Mattana, is returning to Australian stages for a tour of the east coast. The production, which originally premiered at Melbourne's La Mama in 2022, has since enjoyed sold-out local seasons and an extended off-Broadway run directed by Tony award-winner Danya Taymor.
The play follows four Year 12 students from the elite private school Imperium as they prepare for a debate on the topic that feminism has failed women. The characters, played by non-binary and female performers, grapple with their desire to win against their fear of social backlash. The narrative takes a sharp turn when new information forces them to confront the real-world consequences of their rhetoric.
Directed by Marni Mount, the production has been adapted to suit each location, with the Australian version featuring local accents and references. The play runs at approximately 70 minutes and has been praised for its gripping and entertaining portrayal of urgent social issues, though some critics note that the narrative could be tighter.
The tour begins at Sydney's Carriageworks before moving to Riverside in Parramatta, the Arts Centre Melbourne, and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Trophy Boys is one of several Australian works gaining international attention, alongside productions such as The Picture of Dorian Gray and Prima Facie.
