Get ready to fall in love all over again. This restless city has a story to tell.

“I believe in touch. I believe in song. I believe she remembers him. I believe the perfect girl can always meet the perfect boy. I believe we are not alone in the universe.” 

A father prepares himself for the day he lets go of his daughter’s hand. A young man breaks up with his girlfriend so they can both follow their dreams. A couple play nice in public to hide the fractures at home. A woman rebuilds herself along with a flood-devastated city. A working mum contemplates taking the photographs of her late husband down from the fridge. A grandmother dreams of seeing her grandson’s face. A renowned 100-year-old scientist ponders the one great earthly puzzle he was never able to solve: ‘What is love?’ 

Inspired by a personal moment of profound love and generosity, bestselling author – and one of Australia’s finest journalists – Trent Dalton spent two months in 2021 gathering stories on his sky-blue 1960s Olivetti typewriter, on a prominent street corner in Brisbane’s CBD. Speaking to Australians from all walks of life, he asked them one simple thing: ‘Can you please tell me a love story?’ 

What followed was Dalton’s unashamedly joyous collection of Love Stories, and the creative team behind the smash-hit page-to-stage adaptation of Boy Swallows Universe (director Sam Strong and writer Tim McGarry) reuniting to bring to life Dalton’s latest warm, wise, poignant, funny and moving story about love, in all its guises. 

Buy 4 or more & SAVE 20%*

*Offer valid for A-Reserve & Premium seating only when purchasing 4 or more tickets in one transaction. Must select “Group of 4+” after selecting your seats via the drop-down menus under the seating map. Subject to availability. Advertised savings based on the full-price Premium ticket. Not valid for previously purchased tickets. Transaction fee applies.

The Guardian

"It dives into the chaos of love – the joy, the pain, the laughter, the heartbreak... sending you back to the streets feeling just a little more alive."

ArtsHub

"In a time when we need joy more than ever, Love Stories lifts the spirit"

CAST & CREATIVES

CREATIVES

Trent Dalton’s Love Stories Additional Writing and Story: Trent Dalton and Fiona Franzmann
Adaptor: Tim McGarry
Director/Dramaturg: Sam Strong
Choreographer, Movement Director and Intimacy Coordinator: Nerida Matthaei
Associate Director: Ngoc Phan
Set & Costume Design: Renee Mulder
Lighting Design: Ben Hughes
Video Design: Craig Wilkinson
Composition & Sound Design: Stephen Francis

CAST

Rashidi Edward – Jean Benoit
Jason Klarwein – Husband
Anna McGahan – Wife
Valerie Bader – Ensemble
Hsin-Ju Ely – Ensemble
Kirk Page – Ensemble
Ngoc Phan – Ensemble
Bryan Probets – Ensemble
Will Tran – Ensemble
Jacob Watton – Ensemble
Antony Dyer – Camera Operator

PRODUCTION

Production Manager: Chris Goeldner
Company Manager: Pip Loth
Stage Manager: Lucy Kelland
Assistant Stage Manager/Wardrobe: Jasmin Flynn
Sound Operator: Matt Erskine (Sydney)
Sound Operator: Israel Leslie (Tour)
Video Systems Tech: Josh Braithwaite
Lighting Programmer: Tom Broadhurst

 General Management by Alex Woodward and Sophie Watkins for Woodward Productions on behalf of Brisbane Festival and QPAC.

Education Bookings & Resources

EDUCATION PERFORMANCE DATES

Thursday 11 September at 7:30pm
Wednesday 17 September at 7:30pm
Thursday 18 September at 11am
Thursday 18 September at 7:30pm

EDUCATION TICKETS & PRICING

$36.50ea
1 teacher free for every 20 students booked.

SUITABLE FOR YEARS 10– 12 (Stages 5 – 6) 

Online Education Bookings
To reserve your booking, please email education_riverside@cityofparrmatta.nsw.gov.au and confirm the number of tickets, prices and contact details. Please note you will not be asked to pay for your booking at this stage.

You’ll receive a booking invoice of a 25% non-refundable deposit with a ‘payment due’ date.

For more details about How to Book, Excursion & Accessibility For Education

Accessibility

In English.

Wheelchair accessible.

Companion Card accepted.

Assistive Hearing system available (FM).

AUSLAN INTERPRETED PERFORMANCE

Friday 19 September at 7:30pm

Auslan Interpreter Jen Maclaughlan
Auslan Interpreter Celeste O’Hara
Deaf Consultant Dion Galea

Auslan (Australian Sign Language) is used by the Deaf community in Australia. The aural cues that are essential to the storytelling and the theatrical experience are translated into sign language by Auslan interpreters discreetly positioned on a platform close to the stage for comfortable viewing by Deaf patrons. Patrons requiring this service, please select the section closest to the interpreter to ensure good sightlines.

Audio Described & Tactile Tour Performance

Saturday 20 September 2025 at 2pm (Tactile Tour starts at 12:30pm)

Audio Description (AD) enhances the live performance experience for people who are blind or have low vision by providing a narration that provides detailed information and descriptions of the visual elements of a performance. AD is relayed via a free headset and receiver linked to the FM radio system. For select AD performances, tactile tours will be available. Tactile tours allow patrons who are blind or have low vision to have a hands-on experience. Patrons are given access to costumes, props and stage set in order to capture the atmosphere of the work. Tactile tours occur before the performance. To book the service and confirm if your chosen performance has a tactile tour available, call our Box Office on 02 8839 3399.

Find out more about accessibility at Riverside Theatres.

Additional Ticketing Information

$7.95 Transaction Fee applies.

The authorised ticket agency for this event is Riverside Theatres.

Only tickets purchased by authorised agencies should be considered reliable. If you purchase tickets from a non-authorised agency, you risk that these tickets are fake, void, or have previously been cancelled. Resale restriction applies.

Prices are correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice. Exact prices will be displayed with seat selection. Children aged 0-18 months at the time of a performance may be seated on an adult’s lap free of charge. A valid ticket is required for all children over 18 months.

For more details, please refer to our Terms and Conditions.

Trent Dalton’s Love Stories was originally commissioned and produced by Brisbane Festival and Queensland Performing Arts Centre for Brisbane Festival 2024.