Theatre Review Second Coming
Starts 6th – 22 August 2026
WHERE: Roundhouse Theatre, La Boite
TIX/ INFO: here
There was certainly a lot to think about as I took my seat at La Boîte Theatre’s Roundhouse Theatre last night for the opening of Second Coming, the world premiere from La Boîte Theatre and Playlab Theatre.
I have to say, this was an interesting one for me.
Written by award-winning playwright Kathryn Marquet, Second Coming takes us into the year 2065 and follows geneticist Evie and the crew of the spacecraft ARK II as they head towards Mars, or what is being called ‘The Second Eden’, on a mission to rescue species from a planet that humanity has pushed into crisis.
And when you look around at the world we live in today, there is certainly plenty here to make you think.
The production looks at the idea of tech billionaires and corporate power investing enormous amounts of money and energy into space exploration and the possibility of another world, while here on Earth we continue to face a global mess of our own making.
Behind this mission is GENESIS, a corporate superpower selling salvation through a slick marketing campaign, with animals of all kinds being transported to purpose-built biomes on Mars.
Then Evie discovers she is pregnant.
From that point, things begin to unravel and the crew are forced to question what they thought they knew, while the audience is taken on a journey through environmental responsibility, corporate power, capitalism and just what kind of future we are actually building.
Leading this stellar local cast is Ashlee Lollback as Evie, alongside Gideon Mzembe, Anthony Standish and Merlynn Tong.
Ashlee brings plenty of energy to Evie, a woman who suddenly finds herself carrying an enormous responsibility while her own world is turned upside down. Gideon, Anthony and Merlynn each bring their own strengths to a production that asks a lot of its performers, moving between comedy, drama and some very out-there moments.
There is also plenty happening visually, with Set and Costume Designer Bill Haycock creating a very imaginative world for this journey into space. Composer and Sound Designer Wil Hughes and Lighting Designer Geoff Squires add to that environment, with AV Design by Nevin Howell also helping build this futuristic world.
Director and Dramaturg Ian Lawson, Artistic Director of Playlab Theatre, has certainly taken on an ambitious piece of work here. I also liked the fact that sustainability has been considered within the production itself, with recycled materials used in the set design. There is something rather fitting about telling a story about saving our planet while also thinking about what happens to the set once the curtain comes down.
Now, I also want to be honest with you about my experience of Second Coming. I struggled with it.
For quite some time I found myself trying to work out exactly where the story was taking me and how all the different elements were connecting. There are definitely moments of humour throughout, and some ideas that made me sit up and think, but I found much of the production difficult to understand at times.
From where I was sitting, I also found some of the dialogue difficult to hear clearly, and my guest experienced some of the same problem.
That did affect my connection with the story. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t appreciate what was being attempted here.
Quite the opposite. Second Coming is clearly a production that wants to challenge its audience. It wants us to question corporate power, the influence of enormous wealth, our responsibility to the planet and whether simply finding somewhere else to live is really the answer.
There is one question sitting underneath all of this that I think is worth taking home with you: if we can’t get it right here on Earth, why do we think Mars will save us?
And then there is the ending. Without giving anything away, let me just say it is certainly out there!
It brought a smile to my face and, for me, was one of those moments where you think, ‘Well, I certainly didn’t see that coming!’
It is funny, unexpected and gives the audience plenty to talk about as they leave the theatre. And perhaps that is exactly what Second Coming is meant to do.
You may love it. You may find yourself trying to work it all out. You may laugh at the outrageous moments or walk away questioning what you have just seen. But I can pretty much guarantee there will be conversation afterwards.
For me, Second Coming was a challenging theatre experience, and I didn’t always find it easy to follow. But I also believe new Australian theatre needs productions that are prepared to take risks, explore big ideas and perhaps make audiences a little uncomfortable along the way.
I have a great deal of affection and respect for La Boîte Theatre and the work they continue to support, and I know how much goes into bringing a production like this to the stage. So I want to applaud the entire company for taking on Kathryn Marquet’s ambitious work and giving it its world premiere here in Brisbane.
Congratulations to Ashlee Lollback, Gideon Mzembe, Anthony Standish and Merlynn Tong, along with Kathryn Marquet, Ian Lawson, Bill Haycock, Wil Hughes, Geoff Squires, Nevin Howell, Teddy Wad and the entire creative and production team.
Second Coming is certainly not a conventional night at the theatre. Go along with an open mind, be prepared for some humour, some big ideas and some very unexpected moments—and don’t be surprised if you find yourself talking about it long after you leave.
Second Coming plays at La Boîte Theatre’s Roundhouse Theatre in Kelvin Grove until 22 August 2026.
Review Caroline Russo
