THAT BOY

Written by Martha Lott - Directed by Yasmin Gurreeboo 2021. Holden Street Theatres & Martha Lott present

'That Boy' is a new work created for the stage.

Tom is 8, cheeky and out of control. Mum's inherited coping mechanisms don’t work and for a boy who “isn’t bad enough to be diagnosed”, there isn’t any support. Change is unmanageable in a crisis so now it’s survival. For Sarah, there must be light at the end of the tunnel, at any cost. Parenting is hard, there’s no rule book, no one is perfect, she gave birth to him so she knows best and he knows she loves him, she told him so.

A darkly satirical, beautiful, raw, human story of one mother's fight to break the cycle of inherited behaviour and save her son. Based on true life events, That Boy will challenge the audience to question what is acceptable in today's changing world.
Written and performed by Martha Lott.
Director/Dramaturge - Yasmin Gurreeboo, Dramaturge/Outside Eye - Nescha Jelk, Set & Costume Design - Meg Wilson, Sound Design - Sascha Budimski, Lighting Design – Jordan Scheer, Graphic Design - Nicholas Ely

Praise for that boy at the Adelaide Fringe 2021

★★★★★ "This piece is raw but heartbreakingly human." - Glam Adelaide

★★★★★ "We should all know about this" - Barefoot Review

★★★★★ "This show is love, in all its ugliness." - The Serenade Files

★★★★★ - "That Boy is an important piece of theatre and a statement about we, society, treat people who are ‘different’ and is essential viewing for any parent, educator and anyone who works with children." - On The House

★★★★★ - "Martha Lott’s depiction of Mum is heartbreaking and frustratingly relevant." - Global Media Post
★★★★★ - "...a raw and honest look at parenthood." - Mindshare
★★★★1/2 "...authentic dialogue and good storytelling." - The Clothesline
★★★★1/2 - "The success of this monologue is in its humanity – an imperfect but unending love from a mother to her son.." - Stage Whispers

★★★★1/2 "Martha Lott’s ability to connect with the audience and hold it in the palm of her hand during the course of a 60-minute monologue is remarkable... Highly recommended." - All About Entertainment
★★★★ - "Lott’s excellent performance – as Sarah steadily coaches herself to be positive, constant and hopeful – is startling in its directness and quiet despair. " - InDaily

★★★★ - The Advertiser

"Martha Lott has already proved herself as being the master of monologue. Once again, in That Boy, she shows that she can hold the audience in the palm of her hand." - 5MBS

9/10 - "This is a very worthy play to see and should be mandatory for all boffins in charge of childcare and education." - The Adelaide Show

WINNER - BANK SA ADELAIDE FRINGE BEST THEATRE AWARD WK2