Melbourne Theatre Company is transporting audiences to the vibrant chaos of the Chinese afterlife with Legends (of the Golden Arches), a wildly inventive production playing at Southbank Theatre’s The Lawler until June 28 as part of the RISING festival.
Created by dynamic duo Joe Paradise Lui and Merlynn Tong, this genre-defying show blends riotous comedy with poignant cultural exploration as two best friends plunge into the underworld during a spiritual showdown.
Drawing from their own family experiences, Lui and Tong craft a visually stunning journey from Singapore’s streets to Chinese Hell’s neon-lit depths. The production dazzles with shifting projections, pulsating lights, and an original soundscape, while tackling modern tensions between tradition and skepticism with sharp humor.
“Legends will have audiences laughing their way into the underworld,” says MTC’s Anne-Louise Sarks, praising its balance of hilarity and heart. The creative team’s bold vision comes alive through striking design elements including costumes by Nicole Marrington and lighting by Kate Baldwin.
More than just supernatural spectacle, Legends offers a deeply personal meditation on cultural identity, family bonds, and the rituals that connect generations. Don’t miss this electrifying collision of ancient mythology and contemporary storytelling. Tickets are available at mtc.com.au
