The River That Ran Uphill
As told by Edgell Junior and Slingsby
Term 3
25 – 26 July 2024
In the Playhouse
Schools
A Creative Learning Theatre Performance for students | Upper Stage 2 - 6 | In 2015, Cyclone Pam ravaged the South Pacific. Edgell Junior, a Ni-Vanuatu man from Pentecost Island experienced and survived Cyclone Pam and its aftermath. Based on his lived experience, this moving production emphasises the importance of community cooperation and resilience.
| Date | Time |
| Thursday 25 July 2024 | 10am, 12.15pm |
| Friday 26 July 2024 | 10am, 12.15pm |
| Ticket | Price |
| Standard | $25 |
One complimentary teacher per class. Ratio required for supervision is 1 teacher per 15 students. The only authorised ticket agency for this event is the Sydney Opera House.
For more information about Authorised Agencies, see the frequently asked questions below.
Suitable for Upper Stage 2 - 6
This event is recommended for Years 4 - 12.
The Opera House is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children that visit or engage with us. Read our Child Safety Policy
Run time
The duration of this event is 70 minutes which includes a 55 minute performance and a 15 minute Question and Answer session with the artists on stage.
Event duration is a guide only and may be subject to change.
Warnings
Lighting effects, haze and smoke effects.
Cast
Edgell Junior
Elleni Karagiannidis
Jennifer Stefanidis
Darian Tregenza
Created by Slingsby’s Flying Squad
Edgell Junior
Alexis West
Delia Olam
Elleni Karagiannidis
Jennifer Stefanidis
Joshua Campton
Director
Andy Packer
Clara Solly-Slade
Writer
Edgell Junior
Translator
Sasha Zahra
Composer
Quincy Grant
Designer
Slingsby’s Flying Squad
Wendy Todd
Costume Designer
Ailsa Paterson
Lighting Designer
Darian Tregenza
Glam AdelaideIt is a unique and brave piece of theatre and a courageous actor who leads this devastating story to its climax, and warns us that complacency will be our undoing
Do you know the story of the river that ran uphill?
A tiny girl finds the strength to survive the wildest of winds and raging rivers in this triumphant true tale from South Australia’s own trailblazing theatre company Slingsby.
With a cyclone at its centre, brought to life through the magic of theatre, this is a story of the collision between nature and humanity set in the Pacific Islands. Our young protagonist demonstrates courage in the face of adversity to remind us how important it is to come together as a community in our weakest moments.
The River That Ran Uphill drops the audience in the eye of the storm. It’s a story that shows students how the seemingly impossible can become possible when we work together. As the waters rise, this story carries forward a message of warning and, perhaps, a raft of hope.
Presented by Sydney Opera House and Slingsby
A Day Out at the House
Are you looking to extend your school excursion time onsite at Sydney Opera House?
For specific performances and workshops over the year we have combined a ‘performance/workshop’ with a walking tour of Sydney Opera House for a total 3-4 hour experience for your students at the House.
Ticket and Travel Subsidy
The Sydney Opera House is committed to providing the very best national and international performing arts experiences to NSW students as part of their educational studies.
The Sydney Opera House Arts Assist program provides the full cost of the Creative Learning performance ticket and $5 per student toward travel costs. School applications are assessed according to socioeconomic disadvantage, schools with special needs and individual responses regarding the School Profile and School Community.
The Sydney Opera House thanks and acknowledges our generous Arts Assist donors; The Greatorex Foundation and Sydney Opera House Ladies’ Committee.
Other information
Venue information
The Centre for Creativity will adhere to a maximum capacity of 1 person per two square metres, in line with the current NSW Public Health Order.
Our foyers will be open 60 minutes pre-show for Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and two hours pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances. Refreshments will be available for purchase from our theatre bars. Please remember to maintain physical distancing whilst consuming drinks in our foyers.
All Sydney Opera House foyers are pram accessible, with lifts to the main and western foyers. The public lift to all foyers is accessible from the corridor near the escalators on the Lower Concourse and also in the Western Foyer via the corridor on the Ground Level (at the top of the escalators). Pram parking will be available outside the theatres in the Western Foyer consistent with COVID-safe rules.
Frequently asked questions
We recommend your group arrives early at the venue, at least 45 minutes prior to the performance start time.
If you are late, we will seat you as soon as possible, but please be aware that some events have lock out periods where late comers cannot be admitted until a suitable break in the performance. Occasionally this is not until the interval, and in some instances late comers won’t be admitted at all.
Please call Front of House on 02 9250 7134 to notify us if your group is running late.
The closest location to disembark from buses and coaches is on Macquarie Street. Please contact City of Sydney to confirm bus and coach set down areas. We recommend allowing an additional 10 minutes for walking from Macquarie Street. There is no bus parking onsite at Sydney Opera House.
Circular Quay is the closest station for public transport via train, bus and ferry. We recommend allowing 15 minutes to walk from Circular Quay for school groups. To view timetable information and ensure your public transport needs can be met, please contact Transport NSW. Please check the Transport NSW website for the latest advice and information on COVID-19 safety measures for public transport.
The safety and security of everyone visiting our site is paramount. We require all items larger than the dimensions of an A4 piece of paper to be cloaked. As our cloakrooms have limited space, we request that where possible teachers and students do not bring large bags/backpacks with them to the performance.
Yes. Please visit our Policies page for more information.
If your students are bringing a packed lunch, Royal Botanic Gardens adjacent to the Opera House is quite pleasant in fine weather. Alternatively, our restaurants offer everything from casual snacks to kid friendly meals.
Food and drink are permitted inside the foyers, but not in the venues.
Please contact our Creative Learning Ticketing Specialists on 02 9250 7770 as soon as possible to advise if your group can no longer attend. If your group can no longer attend because your school is located in a hotspot, or has had a positive case of COVID-19 symptoms, the Opera House has introduced flexible ticketing options to help you.
The Opera House is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children that visit or engage with us. Read our Child Safety Policy.
The Opera House has also developed a Child-friendly Code of Conduct to engage with our youngest visitors.
Getting here
The Sydney Opera House Car Park, operated by Wilson Parking, is open and available to use. Wilson Parking offer discounted parking if you book ahead. Please see their website for details.
Please check the Transport NSW website for the latest advice and information on travel and COVID-19 safety measures. You can catch public transport (bus, train, ferry) to Circular Quay and enjoy a six min walk to the Opera House.
Covid-safe information
The health and wellbeing of everyone attending the Opera House is our top priority. We’re committed to making your experience safe, comfortable and enjoyable, with a number of measures in place including regular cleaning of high-touch areas, air conditioning systems that maximise ventilation, and hand sanitiser stations positioned in all paths of travel. We encourage you to wear a mask in indoor settings or when physical distancing can’t be maintained, and please stay home if you feel unwell. If you need to discuss your ticketing or booking options, contact our Box Office team on 02 9250 7777.
Nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of everyone on site, and we are closely following NSW Health guidelines and advice. The Sydney Opera House is registered as a COVID Safe business with the NSW Government. For detailed information about our COVID-19 safety measures and what’s required of you when visiting, please see our plan your visit page.
Face masks are strongly recommended for all patrons while inside our theatres and foyers, including during the performance. Please bring your own mask.
As you move around the Opera House, practise physical distancing (1.5 metres whenever possible) and follow the guidance provided by our staff and signage.
Within venues, always take your allocated seat.
For detailed information about our COVID-19 safety measures and what’s required of you, please see our plan your visit page.
The Sydney Opera House no longer requires patrons to show that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Face masks are strongly recommended for all patrons while inside our theatres and foyers, including during the performance. Please bring your own mask.
Contact information is required when making a booking with us and upon arrival at the Opera House, as set out in our General Terms and Conditions for Tickets and Attendance at Events and our Customer Privacy Statement.
As the ticket purchaser, you are responsible for recording the contact details of your guests. Contact information will only be used for the purposes of contact tracing, if required, and will be deleted at least 28 days after your event.
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