LEGENDS (of the Golden Arches) brings two best friends into the Chinese underworld at Southbank Theatre.
What happens when ancient traditions clash with modern scepticism? When family obligations meet personal rebellion? These questions offer interesting insights into the Asian Australian experience for many, where navigating cultural heritage often feels like walking a tightrope between worlds.
For many second and third-generation Australians, the tension between honouring ancestral customs and forging individual identity creates friction. Do you burn incense for deceased relatives you never met, or dismiss these rituals as outdated superstition? The choice feels simultaneously minor and monumental.
And this is just the beginning of what makes LEGENDS (of the Golden Arches) so interesting.
LEGENDS (of the Golden Arches)
- Southbank Theatre, The Lawler
- 5-28 June 2025
- Duration: one hour and 15 minutes, no interval
- Audio described and captioned performances available
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A supernatural showdown
Melbourne Theatre Company’s new production plunges audiences into the depths of Chinese mythology and cultural tradition. LEGENDS (of the Golden Arches) vaults across genres, delivering a powerful examination of heritage, friendship and identity through a uniquely Australian Asian perspective.
The story follows Merlynn and Joe as they hold vigil for their dead grandfathers, with their conflicting attitudes towards traditional values growing increasingly heated throughout the night. Merlynn seeks to preserve ancestral rites while Joe dismisses them as superstition. However, the lords of the underworld intervene, dragging the protagonists beyond the grave to resolve their philosophical differences in spectacular fashion.
This funeral becomes the catalyst for an extraordinary adventure that questions the value of cultural preservation versus modern adaptation. The production tackles these weighty themes while maintaining accessibility through its blend of comedy and drama, ensuring audiences remain engaged throughout the supernatural journey.
Witness creative powerhouses in action
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Co-created by Joe Paradise Lui and Merlynn Tong, the production draws on the talents of theatre artists from Australia’s Asian diaspora. LEGENDS (of the Golden Arches) presents a deeply personal exploration of Chinese cultural experience – expect a humorous yet subtly moving storytelling that challenges traditional theatrical boundaries.
Both creators serve multiple roles in the production, with Lui and Tong acting as co-writers, co-directors and performers while Lui also contributes as composer. The creative team includes set designer Cherish Marrington, costume designer Nicole Marrington, lighting designer Kate Baldwin and video artist Wendy Yu.
LEGENDS (of the Golden Arches) represents a collaboration between multiple Australian arts organisations, with production support from Performing Lines and government backing through the Major Festivals Initiative. The work has been commissioned by Perth Festival, RISING and Brisbane Festival, with additional investment from Creative Australia and initial development support from Black Swan State Theatre Company.
The production offers comprehensive accessibility options including audio description, tactile tours, open captioning and closed captioning through the GoTheatrical app. A forum night on Monday 9 June also provides audiences with the opportunity to engage directly with cast and creative team members following the performance.
For more information, head here.
This article was made in partnership with Melbourne Theatre Company.
