Boys on the Verge of Tears
fortyfivedownstairs
45 Flinders Lane Melbourne VIC
Premiering at the Soho Theatre in London, and recipient of the prestigious Verity Bargate Award, Sam Grabiner’s Boys on the Verge of Tears – set entirely within the intimate confines of a men’s public bathroom, is a bold, searing exploration of masculinity and youth, capturing the raw, unfiltered lives of boys and men grappling with identity, vulnerability, and the pressure to conform.
In its Australian premiere, presented by the producers of runaway hit Trophy Boys (fortyfivedownstairs 2023), five of Melbourne’s finest actors will embody over 45 characters as this deeply human play unfolds in a unique series of encounters: moments of recklessness, bravado, and unexpected tenderness, immersing audiences in the unfiltered experience of young men navigating the tumultuous journey towards adulthood.
With sharp humour and a profound sensitivity to the complexities of coming-of-age, Grabiner’s play dismantles masculine façades of toughness and dissects the fears, dreams, and insecurities buried beneath. This remarkable work resonates universally and speaks directly to our times, inviting audiences into a world both familiar and painfully revealing, a world that lingers long after the final bow.
Image by Cameron Grant