A Note from Merlynn, 19 September

20.09.24

Hi Grif-friend,

My name is Merlynn Tong, and I’m writing this eNews intro two days after my play Golden Blood 黄金血液 opened at Sydney Theatre Company’s Wharf 1 Theatre. Phew! We did it!!

Golden Blood was first produced by Griffin Theatre Company in 2022 (it was originally slated for 2021, but you know… Covid), premiering to 105 people on the SBW Stables Stage, and now two years later it’s running for four weeks in a theatre that holds 360 audience members a night, before heading to Melbourne Theatre Company.

This work has come a long way since it was first drafted, first read, first performed in 2020. And now in 2024, incredibly the whole original team has returned for the Sydney Theatre Company and Melbourne Theatre Company remount! I’m so thrilled to be directed by the extraordinary Tessa Leong again, and to share the stage each night with the phenomenal Charles Wu. The entire design team has done a fantastic job translating the stage to the Wharf—I can’t wait to share the magic with you.

But it’s not just the show itself—there are a few community events around Golden Blood, including a Longhouse x STC panel tonight at 6pm about the evolving nature of Asian Australian stories on our stages, DJ sets by Nightjarr and Kana Frazer on Saturday 28 September in the foyer after the show and two playwriting workshops called How to be a Playwright with 2024 Griffin Award winner Jules Orcullo.

And in just under one week, on Wednesday 25 September Griffin Theatre Company is launching its 2025 Season! Season launch is always an exciting time, especially for playwrights whose works have been programmed. I remember when Golden Blood was first programmed in 2021—the excitement of having this play premiere on the Griffin stage, the stress of having it delayed, and the absolute joy when it came back in 2022—and then again this year. I’m so excited to see what amazing new works the Griffin team has up their sleeves.

Griffin has always been the theatre of first chances, giving voice to and taking risks on new Australian work that is rough and raw and ready for its first audience. I will always have a soft spot for the SBW Stables Theatre and can’t wait to see what the new venue will look like once the redevelopment is done. I’m sure you are just as excited as I am!

I look forward to seeing you at the theatre for Golden Blood!

Love,
Merlynn