'Makes for a brashly fun night in the theatre'
'Will make you laugh, cry, and call your mum'
'Dean Bryant directs with a humanity-first approach, illuminating Law’s richly drawn characters and letting them shine – the cast works together so well they feel like a family and their shared, affectionate shorthand is irresistible.'
'A tragi-comic tale about a dysfunctional Asian-Australian family, it’s written with wit and warmth, and satisfyingly realised by a fine cast.'
ABOUT THE SHOW
Teresa’s mum finds it impossible to let anything go – from grudges to household objects. She thinks of her home as a museum full of irreplaceable treasures. But she’s not really a curator – she’s a hoarder – and her house is enough to give Marie Kondo heart palpitations. When her kids return home to celebrate her 60th birthday, she’s over the moon to have the family back together. This isn’t a reunion. It’s an intervention.
Celebrated TV writer, Benjamin Law (The Family Law) is one of this country’s brightest literary stars. For his hysterically funny and moving stage premiere, Law employs his effortless self-deprecating wit to spark joy in the clutter and find truth in those chaotic moments that bring families closer together.
Renowned director Dean Bryant (The Lady in the Van) brings an irresistible energy to this poignant modern comedy, with a stellar cast including Max Brown (Glitch), Fiona Choi (The Family Law), Michelle Lim Davidson (An Ideal Husband), Diana Lin (The Farewell) and Charles Wu (Mosquitoes).
Torch the Place was commissioned through MTC’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.
Presented as part of Asia TOPA 2020
Accessibility
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Hearing Assistance
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Audio Described
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Tactile Tour
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Open Captioning
| Performance Type | Performance Date(s) |
|---|---|
|
Audio Described
by Vision Australia |
Saturday 29 February at 2pm Tuesday 3 March at 6.30pm |
|
Tactile Tour
by Vision Australia |
Commences at 1pm, prior to the 2pm performance on Saturday 29 February |
|
Open Captioning
via screen |
Saturday 7 March at 2pm |
Cast & Creative
Read more about Torch the Place
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Education
Torch the Place Revision
Refresh your memory of Torch the Place by Benjamin Law, and prepare for the VCE Theatre Studies examination.
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Q&A
Diana Lin on Torch the Place
There’s something really special about the authenticity of allowing migrant actors tell their own stories, says Diana Lin.
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Q&A
Max Brown on Torch the Place
Max Brown discusses the vocal idiosyncrasies of his character, the Asian Australian migrant experience and the 'size' of stage acting.
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Q&A
Charles Wu on Torch the Place
Torch the Place reminds us that it is important to listen to your parents, and that problems need time, space and understanding to solve, says Charles Wu.
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Q&A
Fiona Choi on Torch the Place
Familiar to Benjamin Law fans as Jenny (aka Mum) in The Family Law, Fiona Choi reunites with the first-time playwright to play eldest sibling (and defacto mum) in Torch the Place.
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Q&A
Michelle Lim Davidson on Torch the Place
From watching influencers online for research to the unique challenges of working on a production where the script could be changing throughout the rehearsal process, Michelle Lim Davidson takes it all in her stride.
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Q&A
Dressing Torch the Place
Costume designer Kat Chan discusses heightened naturalism, Princess Diana’s maternity dresses, wigs and more.
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Interview
From Youth Ambassador to Associate Director
Margot Morales Tanjutco was a Youth Ambassador in 2012. They returned to the Company in 2020 for their first professional theatre job, as Associate Director on Torch the Place.
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Q&A
The Art of Sound
Currently working on Torch the Place, composer and sound designer Clemence Williams reveals how she uses sound to transport audiences through time and place.
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Q&A
Lights, colour and fantasy
Amelia Lever-Davidson sheds light on the task of illuminating Torch the Place.
