Édouard Louis was just 21 when he wrote an autobiographical novel and captured the attention of readers and literary critics across the world. The book told a story of a young boy growing up in rural France and withstanding relentless bullying for being gay.
It’s an often bleak story, but this British theatrical version – in which two actors play Eddy and every character he comes into contact with – is vibrantly entertaining. Director Stewart Laing’s production premiered at the Edinburgh International Festival in 2018 and uses a series of TV screens in innovative ways to expand Eddy’s world and tell this story. The production, which is aimed at younger audiences (though definitely not children), is playing a short season at the Malthouse for Melbourne Festival.