Melbourne Theatre Company is set to premiere The Robot Dog, a bold and thought-provoking sci-fi comedy, at Southbank Theatre’s The Lawler from 1 March. This imaginative production, part of MTC’s Education & Families program, explores the intersection of technology, culture, and human connection in a future Australia shaped by automation.
Set in 2042, The Robot Dog follows Janelle, a woman of Cantonese heritage, and her partner Harry, a First Nations man, as they navigate grief, work, and identity after moving into Janelle’s family home.
Assisted by a quirky AI and a robotic therapy dog, they confront a world of technological augmentations and societal restrictions, raising questions about whether technology strengthens or hinders human connections.
Created by Hong Kong-born artist Roshelle Yee Pui Fong and Luritja technologist Matthew Ngamurarri Heffernan, and directed by Amy Sole, the production blends humour with sharp social commentary.
“The best theatre wrestles with something real,” says Sole. “The Robot Dog surprises us, drags us under, and spits us back out, changed.”
Presented in association with Asia TOPA, the show will also tour regionally to Ballarat and Mildura. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Asian Diaspora communities are invited to a special $5 Community Night on 3 March.
Don’t miss this genre-defying exploration of race, grief, and identity. Tickets are available at mtc.com.au.
