Arts Centre Melbourne presents
A Soft Tread Production in association with The Maybe Pile.
Get your tickets to the Arts Centre Melbourne season of Trophy Boys in the Fairfax Studio on 12 - 24 August 2025.
★★★★★ – The Age
A queer black comedy and drag extravaganza about power, privilege, and high school debating.
Boys being boys.
It is the biggest night of Melbourne's academic calendar, the Grand Finale of the Year 12 Interschool Debating Tournament, and the all-boys team from the elite St Imperium College are ready to totally annihilate their sister school – until…
Performed by a female and non-binary cast in drag, the show unfolds in real time as the boys are locked in a classroom for their one-hour prep window, and forced to argue that "feminism has failed women".
This riotously funny satire looks at insecure adolescent masculinity, entitlement and the ego of Australia's next generation of politicians and powerbrokers.
Returning to Melbourne after a sold-out season last year!
Writer Emmanuelle Mattana
Director Marni Mount
Cast Leigh Lule, Gaby Seow, Fran Sweeney-Nash, Myfanwy Hocking
Lighting Designer Katie Sfetkidis
Sound Designer Ben Andrews
Production Design Marni Mount, Ben Andrews, Emmanuelle Mattana
Producers Jo Dyer, Ben Andrews
Photos Ben Andrews
Arts Centre Melbourne - Fairfax Studio
100 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
Opening Night
Tuesday 12 August 7:30 PM
Season: 13 - 24 August
Wednesday 13 August - 7:30 PM
Thursday 14 August - 6:30 PM (Post show Q+A)*
Friday 15 August - 7:30 PM
Saturday 16 August - 2:00 PM, 7:30 PM
Sunday 17 August - 2:00 PM
Tuesday 19 August - 7:30 PM
Wednesday 20 August - 7:30 PM
Thursday 21 August - 6:30 PM (Post show Q+A)*
Friday 22 August - 7:30PM - Auslan interpreted performance**
Saturday 23 August - 2:00 PM, 7:30 PM
Sunday 24 August - 2:00PM
*Thursday 14 and Thursday 21 August, 6.30pm performances are General Admission and will not have allocated reserved seating. There will be education school groups in the audiences. Both of these performances will be followed by a Post Show Q&A
**Friday 22 August: Auslan interpreted performance:
Approx. 70 mins runtime (no interval).
Recommended for ages 15+
Contains adult themes including coarse language, low level violence, homophobic and misogynistic slurs, sexually explicit content including references to sexual violence, underage sex and depictions of image-based abuse.
It also contains loud shouting, flashing lights, amplified sound effects and music and you will likely get a strong whiff of Lynx Africa aerosol deodorant at some point too.
If at any time you feel uncomfortable, you are more than welcome to leave the theatre, and if you wish to, return at any time.
No lockout policy.
For Schools
For schools performance times and bookings, please see: For Schools: Trophy Boys webpage.
School groups are also able to attend General Public evening and matinee performances, but please contact schools@artscentremelbourne.com.au to book a school group.
For VCE curriculum links and Education Resource Pack, please see the For Schools: Trophy Boys webpage.
Support Resources
Trophy Boys contains content that may be distressing for some. If you require help please contact one of these free services:
Lifeline: 13 11 44. Crisis support available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800. Counselling and crisis support available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636. Counselling available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
1800 Respect: 1800 737 732. National domestic family and sexual violence counselling service.
Sexual Assault Crisis Line: 1800 806 292. Victoria - Statewide afterhours crisis counselling and information. Operates afterhours: 5pm weeknights through to 9am the next day and throughout weekends and public holidays.
Q-Life: 1800 184 527. Counselling for LGBTIQ+ people available from 3pm to midnight, 7 days a week.
Rainbow Door: 1800 729 367. Support for LGBTIQA+ people available from 10am to 5pm, 7 days a week.