Love Stories
Writer: Trent Dalton
Director: Sam Strong
Venue: Riverside Paramatta
September 11 – 20, 2025
Two years ago, my friend Erica gave me Love Stories by Trent Dalton at a time when I was feeling quite low. The book became a kind of balm – it helped me heal. At first, I expected a saccharine, lovey-dovey read. While there are tender moments, the book is also full of heartbreak, resilience, and honest reflections on how to survive in this world. It’s not all rainbows and unicorns, but it is a truthful exploration of love – its joys, its pains, and how it can heal.
After that, I explored more of Dalton’s work, including Boy Swallows Universe, and found the same qualities: occasional naivety and whimsical chapters, but always raw, powerful, and honest.
So when I heard Love Stories was coming to the stage at Riverside Parramatta, I was intrigued. How could such varied, intimate stories about love and life be adapted for theatre without feeling like a reading? The production rose to the challenge beautifully. Dalton contributed additional writing alongside Fiona Franzmann, while director and dramaturg Sam Strong infused the show with energy and creativity.
The 11-strong ensemble brought the stories to life. Rashidi Edward’s Jean Benoit, a young, French-speaking hustler, drummed, danced, and linked the stories together with cheeky joy. Jason Klarwein’s “sentimental writer” collected real stories from Brisbane streets, sharing them alongside his own struggles with love and parenthood with his wife (Anna McGahan), creating moments that were both intimate and powerful.
The production’s technical elements were equally striking. A central camera engaged the audience even before the show began, while quotes about love prompted reflection. Simple but dynamic sets and costumes by Renee Mulder came alive through lighting by Ben Hughes, video design by Craig Wilkinson, and the subtle musical touch of Stephen Francis. Steadicam shots (by Antony Dyer), beautiful dance sequences, and quick set changes kept the pace energetic, yet allowed poignant moments to resonate.
The cast (Valerie Bader, Hsin-Ju Ely, Kirk Page, Ngoc Phan, Bryan Probets, Will Tran, and Jacob Watton) formed a talented ensemble that made every scene shine.
Love Stories is a theatrical experience that leaves you both sad and joyful, reflecting on love’s power and fragility. It restores faith in the world and reminds us that love, in all its messy, beautiful forms, is worth celebrating.
