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[title]It has been almost 30 years since Christos Tsiolkas’ debut novel Loaded first resonated with migrant and queer communities in Australia and beyond. The book was adapted to become the award-winning feature film Head On back in 1998, before being reimagined as an audio adaptation by Malthouse in 2020.
Now Malthouse is about to become home to another iteration of this perpetually relevant narrative. For the first time, Loaded will come to life as a stage play at the Malthouse’s Beckett Theatre. From May 5-28, fans of Tsiolkas’ novel (or of his hugely successful novel The Slap) and those new to the narrative will have the chance to witness this nihilistic coming-of-age story in a brand new format.
Loaded’s misanthropic protagonist is Ari, a 19-year-old gay man from a Greek Migrant family. This honest and raw story portrays the messiness of self-discovery among Collingwood’s gay clubs in a world of drag queens and one night stands. Ari’s odyssey sees him travel to four corners of Melbourne in a journey that is as recognisable and relevant today as it was in 1998.
Christos Tsiolkas and Dan Giovannoni have adapted the novel to the stage, with direction from Stephen Nicolazzo. Danny Ball (A Beginner’s Guide to Grief) will star as Ari.
Standard tickets are $80 and concession holders can secure one for $50. You’d best pick yours up soon, because we wouldn’t be surprised if this hotly anticipated adaptation sells out.