From laugh out loud moments to hard-hitting drama, Trophy Boys is a powerful and timely piece of theatre
Presented by: State Theatre Company South Australia presents a Soft Tread Production in association with The Maybe Pile
Reviewed: 17 March, 2026
To open their 2026 season, State Theatre Company South Australia have brought Emmanuelle Mattana’s thought-provoking work Trophy Boys to the Space Theatre. This production packs a punch. It challenges the audiences and takes you on a roller coaster of emotions in a tight, seventy-minute production.
The play takes place in the hour before the Division One debating team from St Imperium step out onto the stage for the grand final of the year 12 Interschool Debating Tournament. The four boys on the team, Owen, Scott, Jared and David are handed their topic, ‘Feminism has Failed Women – Affirmative’, and what unfolds in real time is their discussion and masculine insight into the topic. Truths are revealed and accusations are thrown when a story about the team is leaked online.
What starts out seemingly as a riotous comedy quickly changes to reveal powerful and hard hitting themes within the show. Trophy Boys is ensemble theatre at its finest. It is performed by a female and non-binary cast in drag, giving a unique take on the toxic masculinity still all too prevalent in the world, especially in some schools.
Director Marni Mount has left no stone unturned in Emmanuelle Mattana’s powerful script. Mount has worked her incredible cast amazingly. Myfanwy Hocking (Owen), Tahlia Jameson (Scott), Fran Sweeney-Nash (Jared) and Kidaan Zelleke (David) have perfectly captured (and emphasised) every stereotypical trait you would expect from a horny, privileged teenage boy. I for one was having flashbacks to my schooling days and having to be around other students just like this. From speech patterns, mannerisms and gestures, this incredible ensemble never once dropped their characters, and they really heightened every social justice, sexist or misogynistic point Trophy Boys drives home. You will be left thinking about this production long after you leave the theatre.
The audience on opening night were swept up in the drama. Audible gasps, cheers and sounds of shock rippled through the Space Theatre. Trophy Boys is hard hitting, but the humour is used well to break the tension.
The set – a classroom wall featuring posters of influential femme-presenting identities and a Taylor Swift quote, a white board and five classroom tables and chairs – provided the perfect playground for the cast. Katie Sfetkidis’s lighting design was excellent, as was Ben Andrews’ sound design. The addition of a quiet ticking clock playing in the background really heightened several key moments with in the production.
Raise the trophy high, State Theatre Company South Australia. Trophy Boys is groundbreaking theatre that is a must-see, especially by a younger demographic. This is biting, confronting and humourous theatre at its best.
Reviewed by Ben Stefanoff
Photo credit: Ben Andrews
Venue: Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre
Season: Until 2nd April 2026
Duration: 70mins (no intermission)
Tickets: From $26 (plus booking fee)
Bookings: https://statetheatrecompany.com.au/shows/trophy-boys/
Adelaide Festival Centre, Ben Andrews, Emmanuelle Mattana, Fran Sweeney-Nash, Katie Sfetkidis, Kidaan Zelleke, Marni Mount, Myfanwy Hocking, Space Theatre, State Theatre Company South Australia, Tahlia Jamerson
