Torch the Place

AAR MTC Torch the Place - photo by Justin RidlerA poignant modern comedy about finding clarity in the clutter of life, Benjamin Law makes his playwriting debut with Torch the Place at Arts Centre Melbourne from 14 February 2020.

Littered with Law’s signature wit, Torch the Place sparks joy in the clutter of life and uncovers meaning in those chaotic moments that bring families closer together. 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 children return home for her 60th birthday, it isn’t a reunion – it’s an intervention.

Directed by Dean Bryant, Torch the Place was commissioned as part of MTC’s NEXT STAGE Writers’ Program, stars Michelle Lim Davidson (Utopia), Diana Lin (The Farewell), Fiona Choi (The Family Law), Max Brown (The Gloaming) and Charles Wu (Doctor, Doctor).

“Benjamin Law is a renaissance man. Passionately interested in – and good at – so many things, it’s no wonder that writing theatre is one more of his many talents,” said Dean Bryant. “The world he’s brought to life for us is irreverent, sharp and intensely moving. And of course, funny. It’s a privilege to be working with him to continue shaping his first play and to have it premiere at MTC.”

Benjamin Law is a Sydney-based journalist, columnist, TV screenwriter and broadcaster. He’s the author of the memoir The Family Law, travel book Gaysia: Adventures in the Queer East – both nominated for Australian Book Industry Awards – the Quarterly Essay Moral Panic 101 and editor of Growing Up Queer in Australia. Benjamin also created and co-wrote three seasons of the multi-award-winning TV adaptation of The Family Law for SBS – still the most viewed comedy on SBS On Demand.

Benjamin co-hosts ABC RN’s weekly national pop culture show Stop Everything and has featured in TV shows including Q&A, The Drum, The Project, Filthy Rich and Homeless and Waltzing the Dragon. In 2017 Benjamin was commissioned to write a play for MTC as part of the company’s NEXT STAGE Writers’ Program. Torch the Place is his first play.

Director: Dean Bryant Featuring: Max Brown, Fiona Choi, Michelle Lim Davidson, Diana Lin, Charles Wu Associate Director: Margot Morales Tanjutco Set Designer: Isabel Hudson Costume Designer: Kat Chan Lighting Designer: Amelia Lever-Davidson Composer & Sound Designer: Clemence Williams


Torch the Place
Fairfax Studio – Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
Season: 14 February – 21 March 2020
Information and Bookings: www.mtc.com.au

Image: Torch the Place – photo by Justin Ridler