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Merlynn Tong Merlynn Tong i(8517342 works by)
Gender: Female
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Works By

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1 Golden Blood Merlynn Tong , 2021 single work drama

'When her mother dies an orphaned girl is left alone in Singapore, in a home that is now terrifyingly empty. To make matters worse, she’s now in the care of her estranged brother—her new legal guardian—and he’s not exactly up to the gig. For one, he’s only a few years older than her. And two, he’s a gangster. Like, an actual one.

'The future he sees for their atypical family-of-two is lined with gold. And Chanel. And Miu Miu. And Balenciaga. But his new dependent is less sure about this. What is the trade-off for living in this kind of luxury? What should be kept in this world, and what should be offered to the next? As it turns out, their late mother has some strong opinions on the matter.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

1 y separately published work icon Skin Merlynn Tong , 2020 Australia : PlayWriting Australia , 2020 19659562 2020 single work drama
1 y separately published work icon The Fledglings (and) Good Grief Maxine Mellor , Merlynn Tong , Brisbane : Playlab , 2020 19562167 2020 selected work drama
1 Good Grief Merlynn Tong , 2020 single work drama
— Appears in: The Fledglings (and) Good Grief 2020;

'Ancient myths and legends from around the globe are reimagined into modern day moments in this series of intriguing vignettes. Good Grief pays tribute to Greek, Chinese, Aztec, Japanese, Norse and other potent tales. With more than 30 characters, and an invitation to use ensemble and choral work, Good Grief peers into the windows of disparate lives in flux and transformation. We are left wondering if we, as human beings, are ultimately connected; if we all share the same fundamental need to love, and experience the same landscapes of lost and longing, hope and hunger for life.' (Production summary)

1 Moonface and Me Merlynn Tong , 2019 single work prose
— Appears in: Solid Air : Australian and New Zealand Spoken Word 2019; (p. 186-188)
1 Antigone Merlynn Tong , 2019 single work drama

'A great city has been torn apart by a civil war between two brothers. In the aftermath, both lie dead – one hailed as a hero and lying in state, the other condemned as a traitor and dumped in a carrion pile. From the ashes of their conflict rises a dystopian state under a new leader – a career politician who rose to power by dint of her ruthlessness.

'Grieving and heartbroken, their sister Antigone challenges the leader for the right to bury and mourn her dead brother with dignity, sparking a furious act of rebellion that will shake the city to its foundations.

'In this lyrical adaptation of Sophocles’ timeless tragedy, award-winning Brisbane playwright Merlynn Tong adds an urgent modern twist'.

Source: Queensland Theatre Company.

1 y separately published work icon Blue Bones Merlynn Tong , Fortitude Valley : Playlab , 2017 11978357 2017 single work drama

'When a woman finds scars left by her ex-boyfriend of many years etched into her bones, she begins a turbulent journey to unpack her past and discover how he got under her skin. Based on the true story of two teenagers' romance as it blossoms then warps in the heat of bustling Singapore, Blue Bones is a one-woman show told with incredible honesty by Merlynn Tong. With multiple characters, song and arcade dance games, Blue Bones is a whirlwind of love and sex, violence and courage, with the wreckage continuing to be felt across the years. Against the backdrop of Singapore with all its beauty, rigidity and insistent chaos, Blue Bones will enchant and disturb, and perhaps even wake the stories dormant in your bones.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

1 Me No Likey Merlynn Tong , 2015 single work essay
— Appears in: Peril : Asian-Australian Arts and Culture , no. 20 2015;
1 y separately published work icon Ma Ma Ma Mad Merlynn Tong , 2013 South Brisbane : Playlab , 2013 10177352 2013 single work drama

'Ma Ma Ma Mad is the based on the true story of a young woman growing up in Singapore. This powerful play deals with death and suicide, love and loss, sex and sexual awakening, family and culture. Set in a dingy karaoke bar, this solo production brings us a heartfelt and honest tale, as the actor switches between herself, her mother, her maid and her ex-­lovers. Ma Ma Ma Mad is sometimes shocking, to the point of brutal honesty, but always endearing and ultimately hopeful tale from a woman who became an orphan as a child, then, after being raised by her adolescent brother, an international artist as a young woman.

'Drawing on a traditional narrative arc and littered with emotional expressions through physical theatre — sometimes words will just not do — this is an inspiring and raw tale that will have you questioning your own expressions of love, and leave you with faith in the human spirit that life does go on and, against all odds, we can triumph over the greatest of tragedies.' (Publication summary)

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