Reviewed by Caroline Stafford
It is a rare show that can take a funeral and turn it into a wild ride of friendship, culture and self-exploration that spans both this realm and the next. Welcome to Legends (of the Golden Arches) - the story of two best friends, Joe Paradise Lui and Merlynn Tong, navigating their relationships with life, death and culture as they try to spend the night in vigil for their dead grandfathers, which takes an unexpected turn into the underworld. Their work uses performance, music and projection to explore the deep stories and cultural tensions that are a part of their lives as part of Australia’s Asian Diaspora.
This semi-autobiographical work explores Lui and Tong’s backgrounds as Singaporeans, and their relationship to the Chinese traditions that surround death and the afterlife. Their personalities and personal histories are woven intricately through the story - they are the writers, directors and performers. This makes the overall performance uniquely poignant and emotional - from comedic and over-the-top silly in some moments, to gripping and heart-wrenching in others. Although the narrative is full of grief - grief for the loss of loved ones, for the separation of culture and seemingly insurmountable barriers - it also seems to centre hope and self-acceptance.
Legends (of the Golden Arches) is not only an emotional experience, but also a visual feast. Our two heroes’ looks evolve from simple street clothes to elaborate costumes in the underworld and even pair back to allow them to play gods when necessary. The same functionality exists in the set design, both created by Cherish and Nicole Marrington. It flows seamlessly from reality to hellscape while remaining relatively minimalist. However, the true visual powerhouse is their unique and elaborate projections of animations by artist Wendy Yu and the immersive lighting scape created by Kate Baldwin. Large screens allow Lui and Tong to step in and out of dream-like storytelling scenarios as gods, goddesses and the denizens of hell are arrayed around them. The immense projections of artistic renderings loom above the storytellers, seeming to dwarf them with the power of their myths.
It is important to note that as a white person, there are elements of this work that I will never be able to fully grasp. I was fortunate to be able to speak with a fellow audience member of Singaporean-Malaysian background who attested to the powerful way that these stories resonated with them. They particularly praised the unique way Lui and Tong explained how the myths they were speaking about had evolved, but also celebrated enduring cultural elements that are emotional touchstones for many people.
Legends (of the Golden Arches) is a powerful and enchanting show that is definitely one to watch. Whether it is stories that have been handed down to you or ones that you are meeting for the first time, it is a beautiful way to reflect on history, friendship and the lessons that we learn from both.
Reviewer Note: Tickets for this review were provided by Perth Festival.
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