Artistic Director David Berthold wrote:
La Boite sits at the nexus of many practices and so it is important to us, and to others, that we provide good pathways for artists and projects. It is very easy for a small, fledgling show to disappear and it is good news when companies such as La Boite can give new life to small things to help make them stronger. Such was the case with boy girl wall.
We saw a small version of the new piece from The Escapists at Metro Arts in 2010 and thought it had potential. We helped reshape the show for our much bigger space, encouraged a new design and some rewriting, and placed it in our main season. It turned out to be wonderful success, with Lucas Stibbard’s brilliant performance becoming the talk of the town and earning him a national Helpmann Award nomination for Best Actor. The April season sold out, and we were then able to find space in the theatre for a further eleven performances in September in collaboration with the Brisbane Festival. This was also on its way to selling out when Lucas fell ill, meaning that we had to cancel the final three performances – about $20,000 worth of tickets. A disappointing end to a great success story – but not really an end, for boy girl wall tours to 25 venues across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT and the Northern Territory in 2012.
The critics said:
He could do stand-up at the Olympics for Australia - I’m sure he’d get a Gold...This is one that could genuinely go anywhere - New York, London, the Edinburgh Festival - and I am sure he would have a worldwide hit. A great show, a great achievement... (Lucas Stibbard) is a great talent. 612 ABC
You must see this show...There are a million magical moments... The Escapists have created a production that will live in audiences’ memories for many years, make them smile, and never look at their socks in the same way. artsHub
I felt like my favourite flash animations and local indie films had joined forces to produce a stage play… the ride has you grinning, arms in the air, already dying to go again. Rave
Source: La Boite's 2011 Annual Report
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