Congratulations, Get Rich! | La Boite Theatre

Image: Stephen Henry

I've always been drawn to hearing other people’s stories — there’s something powerful about witnessing someone share their truth. ‘Congratulations, Get Rich’, a theatre production written by and starring Merlynn Tong, at La Boite Theatre is a great example of personal storytelling that was a pleasure to experience.

Image: Stephen Henry

Set in a vivid, Singaporean-style karaoke bar — lit with purple and pink hues, furnished with plush couches, a TV, and adorned with red traditional Chinese décor — the stage instantly transported us into her world. Drawing from her own experiences growing up in a karaoke bar in Singapore, Tong’s story centres on the daughter’s 38th birthday, where the ghosts of her mother and grandmother— both died at the same age— appear as ‘hungry’ ghosts. Through this haunting reunion, the show explores themes of family, unresolved grief, trauma and the struggle to reclaim lost connections. This deeply personal and culturally rich storytelling offers a glimpse into a life rarely seen on stage.

What stood out to me was the dynamic between the three generations of women at the heart of the play. Their relationship felt raw and real, with each actor meeting the emotional energy of the others in a tightly woven ensemble. The tension between grandmother, mother, and daughter was palpable, yet it was often lightened by the warmth and humour of the daughter’s partner, whose goofy dad jokes brought some much-needed levity to the heavier moments.

While I was drawn in by the premise, I felt that the pacing dragged a little at the start. It wasn’t until the second half that the emotional weight of the story truly landed for me — but when it did, it hit hard.

That said, the production wasn’t all ghosts and grief. There was a surprising amount of humour woven through the script, much of it delivered through physical comedy and cleverly timed interactions- and the audience responded with genuine laughter. Composer and sound designer Guy Webster’s original karaoke-style soundtrack added a playful energy, and the karaoke scenes themselves were brought to life with comically choreographed dance routines. These moments allowed the cast to embrace the absurdity of their characters, offering a joyful contrast to the more emotionally charged themes.

Image: Stephen Henry

The lighting in this production was strikingly dramatic and played a crucial role in shaping the atmosphere. At times, the theatre shifted from complete darkness to sudden flashes of light, creating moments of shock and intensity. Some scenes were cleverly staged behind a TV screen, adding a sense of distance and distortion that complemented the dramatic lighting. This was especially effective in scenes involving the ghost characters, where eerie lighting deepened the haunting mood and sense of unease for me. Gabriel Chan’s lighting design effectively heightened the tension between characters and amplified the emotional stakes of the performance.

The play moved seamlessly between deep Singaporean cultural traditions and playful cross-cultural references. From tales of hungry ghosts and goddesses to cultural beliefs about Human Day and superstitions — like not washing your hair on New Year’s Day because it brings bad luck — the production offered a vivid glimpse into Chinese folklore. At the same time, it embraced Asian-Australian identity through witty moments of cultural fusion. One of my favourite moments — and one that had the whole audience laughing — was when a dish of san choy bow was ‘ruined’ by the addition of Vegemite: “Too salty!” It’s cross-cultural moments like this, blending everyday Australian references with Chinese traditions, that made the show feel grounded, alive, and full of personality.

‘Congratulations, Get Rich” reminded me of the value in hearing stories that come from a place of deep cultural specificity — stories that, regardless of your background, tap into shared experiences of love, loss, and connection. As I was leaving the theatre, I overheard audience members sharing their thoughts — words like “interesting”, “brilliant actors” and “it really draws you in” came up, along with the appreciation for the technical touches that brought the story to life. It’s rare to see something so intimate and culturally specific on stage, yet still feel so universal — and for me, that’s what made it clear how important it is to keep sharing diverse stories in theatre.

Congratulations, Get Rich! played 4-20 September 2025 at La Boite Theatre as part of the 2025 Brisbane Festival

Image: Stephen Henry