SLAP. BANG. KISS.

20 — 26 May 2025

National Tour

Exploring themes of activism, community and hope, this bold new play from multi-award-winning playwright Dan Giovannoni tracks three young people whose stories transform them into global symbols of revolution.

65 minutes, no interval

Contact your local Arts Centre to book

View details below

Explore
This is rated 4 out of 5 stars

'Snappily directed by Katy Maudlin, the work races along in a gripping, always entertaining hour.'

Time Out Melbourne

About the Show

SLAP. A video of 16-year-old Immi hitting a security officer goes viral. BANG. Sofia’s impassioned speech for the victims of a school shooting makes international news. KISS. In the car park of a small-town supermarket, people rally around Darby and Daniel as the boys lock lips in an attempt to set the world record for the longest kiss.

This award-winning play from renowned playwright Dan Giovannoni (Merciless Gods) heads west after two acclaimed seasons. SLAP. BANG. KISS. tracks three young people whose stories kickstart a series of events none of them could have anticipated, transforming them into global symbols of revolution. But when their stories go viral and the whole world is watching, what will they do next?

Exploring themes of activism, community and hope, director Katy Maudlin (Meet Me at Dawn) delivers a bold production for Melbourne Theatre Company's acclaimed Education & Families Program.


This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Gailey Lazarus Foundation.

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SLAP. BANG. KISS. was commissioned through Melbourne Theatre Company’s NEXT STAGE Writers’ Program with the support of our Playwrights Giving Circle Donors, The Ian Potter Foundation, Naomi Milgrom Foundation, The Myer Foundation, Malcolm Robertson Foundation and The University of Melbourne.


TOUR DATES

Contact your local arts centre below for more information or to book: 

Don Russell Performing Arts Centre, Thornlie WA
Tuesday 20 May, 11am (includes post-show Q&A)
Tuesday 20 May, 7pm
08 9498 9415

Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre, Bunbury WA
Thursday 22 May, 10am (includes post-show Q&A)
Thursday 22 May, 1pm (includes post-show Q&A)
08 9792 3111

Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, Mandurah WA
Monday 26 May, 11am
08 9550 3930

 

Exclusive worldwide agent for engagements: Nicholas Clark Management
 
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Artwork for Sarah Fitzgerald

Sarah Fitzgerald

Sofia / as cast

Artwork for Tomáš Kantor

Tomáš Kantor

Darby / as cast

Artwork for Tsungirai Wachenuka

Tsungirai Wachenuka

Immi / as cast

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Dan Giovannoni

Writer

Dan Giovannoni lives and works in Narrm/Melbourne. His plays include Merciless Gods (adapted from the book by Christos Tsiolkas for Little Ones Theatre), Jurassica (Red Stitch), Bambert’s Book of Lost Stories (Barking Gecko Theatre Company), Turbine (Malthouse Theatre) and Cut Snake (Arthur). In 2016, he was awarded a Green Room Award for Jurassica (New Writing for the Australian Stage) and a Helpmann Award for Bambert’s Book of Lost Stories (Best Presentation for Children). Plays in development include House and Little Prince, Big Prince (further collaborations with Bambert director Luke Kerridge), and Mad as a Cute Snake with Amelia Evans. Dan is currently under commission from Arena Theatre Company (Air Race) and is a winner of a Mike Walsh Fellowship 2016. He is a Writer in Residence at Melbourne Theatre Company as part of the NEXT STAGE Writers’ Program.

Artwork for Katy Maudlin

Katy Maudlin

Director

Artwork for Kate Davis

Kate Davis

Set & Costume Designer

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Amelia Lever-Davidson

Lighting Designer

Artwork for Ian Moorhead

Ian Moorhead

Composer & Sound Designer