Benjamin Law’s play has something for everyone.
“Torch the Place” is a tragicomedy. A family on the Gold Coast comes together to celebrate Mum’s 60th birthday. But instead of a new kettle or a photo book of memories, the kids decide to “clean up Mum’s house”. This both responds to the neighbours’ complaints and their own sense of what is appropriate. Three children, one son-in-law, one skip and poor communication set the scene. I suspect you are beginning to imagine the heartbreak that ensues.
Mum may have lost the will to scrub her own house after twenty years of scrubbing other people’s. She may have collected more memories than she can remember. But this is her palace, and these are her possessions. Children don’t always treat their parents’ past with the respect it is due.
One daughter, an influencer, flies in with her “out there” personality and ever-present camera and audience. A son sneaks back into a past from which he’s escaped. And the older daughter, true to expectations, pulls herself together to the unenviable task before her. Mum is just delighted that her children are all together again, and relaxes, unaware of the devastation her offspring intend.
Mum, (Hsiao-Ling Tang) still binds the family together. Her tragedies sit just below the surface, their impact unappreciated by the children. A cheating no-good husband, and a stillbirth sit undiscussed by her now adult children. Her eldest daughter, Teresa (Denise Chan), leads the response to their mother’s declining motivation. But, as in most families, her obligations are neither shared nor appreciated. Natalie (Kristie Nguy) is the golden child and is accepted as such. She shines. She prances and, ultimately, she bridges her mother’s past and present. Toby (Logan So) is the “baby” and only boy. He’s lived with his mum and, more than others, is aware of the decline and challenges for the family. He is also the surviving twin. Lastly, Teresa’s Vietnamese husband Paul (Peter Thurnwald), provides the distance needed to keep the family grounded in the City of the Gold Coast, with its real estate opportunities and compromises.
“It made me cry, just a little bit.” Was one response. Another was “The actor playing the mother was so good.”
The Director (Ngọc Phan) shows us a play of organised chaos, families that spill the beans, openly scream at one another in a way that unlocks their relationships one by one until they get down to bedrock. From there, they build love and respect.
Jeremy Allen must have had a great time designing and trawling the op-shops for the set. It worked beautifully, and the costumes hit the spot. The Gold Coast… on acid. Not a pretty sight. But hilarious.
On at the Billie Brown Theatre in South Brisbane until 29th March. If you think your parent has too much stuff and you can’t wait to torch the place, this play is for you. And parents, come so you are prepared.
Kerry McGovern
