Review: Wild Abandon 2026 Melt Festival

★★★★½

There is something fulfilling about seeing brand-new Australian work being brought to life onstage. This is especially the case with Wild Abandon, a multi-narrative drama from the minds of Sean Dowling, Ian Lawson and Merlynn Tong.

Set entirely in a hotel room, the play brings together three separate stories, all interwoven within the same space. The audience gets a glimpse behind the scenes of a Grindr hookup, a one-night stand and a long-awaited reconnection.

It explores the complexities of intimacy and the rules we place on ourselves and others, often with hilarious and confronting results.

Daniel Lammin’s direction expertly crafts an evening of theatre that balances love, fantasy, and shame, while still leaving room for plenty of light-hearted moments. Having had a glimpse into the rehearsal room, I also got to witness Lammin’s passion for the craft and his collaborative approach with the cast.

Merlynn Tong, who also co-wrote the play, brings a commanding presence to her character. As Serene, a domineering businesswoman who rarely allows her true self to be seen, Tong delivers a performance that feels assured and deliberate. That is, until she is with Jade, played by Zoe Houghton.

We come to discover that Jade is the one person with whom Serene can truly be herself. Houghton plays the infatuated lover who has put her life on hold for five years in anticipation of this long-awaited reunion.

Set entirely in a hotel room the play brings together three separate stories Photo by Imperfect Creatives

Houghton is faultless in her emotional journey, moving from someone desperately longing for the affection of her partner to someone who finally realises what she deserves. It leaves Serene broken, ashamed and alone.

Also occupying this hotel room are Sean Dowling and Emily Burton, playing Francis and Lilly respectively. Burton portrays a married woman nearing the end of her ‘free pass’ holiday, who meets Francis, a trans woman played by Dowling.

The one thing on Lilly’s to-do list is to have a lesbian experience. However, discovering that Francis is transgender adds another layer to the encounter. In what becomes an almost educational session for the audience, the pair navigate queer terminology, compulsory heterosexuality and the unspoken rules of engagement.

Burton plays Lilly with an apologetic naivety, from her occasional slips of the tongue to the moments of genuine tenderness and understanding. Dowling, meanwhile, is a powerhouse of sharp wit and humour. As a co-writer, that humour is clearly woven throughout the script, and Dowling delivers it effortlessly.

The comedy continues as we explore the Grindr hookup. This was my favourite storyline, probably because it was the most relatable as a member of the rainbow community myself.

Julian Curtis plays Jo, who is preparing for a Grindr encounter. The nervousness is played perfectly, with the internal debate over sending the message or taking the photo feeling all too familiar. Zac Callaghan plays opposite Curtis as Mik, a rough-and-tumble cowboy whose tough exterior we soon discover is more of a façade.

Wild Abandon is a refreshing piece of new Australian theatre Photo by Imperfect Creatives

Both actors reveal a vulnerability beneath their characters’ initial bravado, creating moments that are not only funny but genuinely endearing.

Perhaps the most fascinating element of Wild Abandon is the way these three narratives intertwine. It is both impressive and hilarious to watch, and the level of focus required from the cast is no small feat.

With overlapping dialogue, interwoven conversations, uncomfortable silences, and carefully choreographed movement in between the action, the precision on display deserves recognition. It is a testament to both the writing and the performers that each story remains clear while sharing the same space.

Wild Abandon is a refreshing piece of new Australian theatre that finds humour in the awkwardness of human connection while exploring the more complicated sides of intimacy, identity and desire.

There is something here for everyone, and I suspect audiences will leave having recognised at least one moment, one conversation or one character that feels a little too familiar.

Wild Abandon is a Playlab Theatre Production, presented in partnership with Brisbane Powerhouse for MELT Festival. It runs to 21 November 2026 at the Underground Theatre, Brisbane Powerhouse.

Tickets are available here.

Website: https://brisbanepowerhouse.org/events/wild-abandon/

Socials: https://www.instagram.com/melt.fest/ and https://www.instagram.com/playlab_theatre/