Queensland Theatre Company (QTC) presents Torch the Place, a laugh-out-loud, deeply heartfelt comedy from much-loved Queensland writer Benjamin Law (The Family Law), playing at the Bille Brown Theatre from 10 – 29 March 2026.
Inspired by Law’s own family experiences, Torch the Place is a sharp, tender exploration of family, culture, legacy and the emotional weight of the things we refuse to throw away.
Teresa has a mum who can’t let go of anything. Not grudges. Not Princess Diana’s ashtrays. Not late ‘90s Disney VHS tapes. She sees her modest Gold Coast home as a museum of priceless artefacts. But she’s not a curator – she’s a hoarder.
When Teresa’s children come home to celebrate her 60th birthday, they arrive with cake, presents and a plan. What starts as a well-intentioned clean-out quickly becomes an intervention, unearthing decades of clutter, long-buried memories and the complicated emotional inheritance passed down through generations.
Balancing razor-sharp wit with emotional honesty, Torch the Place examines family dynamics within the South-East Asian community while speaking to a universal truth: our relationships, like our homes, are shaped by what we choose to hold on to and what we’re finally brave enough to let go of.
QTC Artistic Director Daniel Evans says Torch the Place exemplifies the humanity that sits at the heart of the company’s 2026 season. “Ben is a homegrown Queensland icon. He is a writer of extraordinary wit and warmth and his playwriting debut establishes him as a powerful theatrical talent,” says Evans.
“Torch The Place is a contemporary Aussie comedy that understands family in all its chaos and contradiction. It is immediately recognisable, laugh-out-loud funny and deeply moving.”
Law says the play grew from a deeply personal place. “For a long time, I didn’t have the language to understand what was happening in my own home,” says Law.
“Growing up, my family kept everything: tennis trophies, tenpin bowling medals, old school projects. As we grew, the house seemed to contract around us. We were sentimental to the point where it became pathological.”
“Hoarding comes from broken hearts. The objects carry memory, identity and stories that feel impossible to lose. Torch the Place explores family, trauma and love, and the meaning we attach to the things we keep. In the end, all of us are trying to find meaning in the grand mess of life,” says Law.
The production also marks the mainstage solo-directing debut of Queenslander Ngọc Phan (Vietgone, Boy Swallows Universe), who brings a deeply empathetic and culturally nuanced lens to the work.
“Taking on Torch the Place has been an incredible opportunity to bring a personal and culturally rich story to life with honesty and care. So many stories about hoarding focus on spectacle or shame,” Phan says.
“This production is about slowing down and asking what these objects mean and why letting go can feel impossible. We’ve approached the work with empathy and care that shapes every creative choice we’ve made.”
With an ensemble cast that audiences will fall head-over-heels for, Torch the Place is a cathartic, funny and deeply human theatre experience that will make you laugh, cry, and quite possibly call your mum.
Director: Ngọc Phan | Featuring: Denise Chan, Kristie Nguy, Logan So, Peter Thurnwald, Hsiao-Ling Tang | Set and Costume Designer: Jeremy Allen | Lighting Designer: Briana Clark | Composer and Sound Designer: Wil Hughes | Assistant Director: Emily Burton | Stage Manager: Jacinta Way | Assistant Stage Manager: Tia-Hanee Cleary
Torch the Place
Bille Brown Theatre, 78 Montague Road, South Brisbane
Season: 10 – 29 March 2026
Information and Bookings: www.queenslandtheatre.com.au
Image: Torch the Place – photo by Sam Scoufos