Skip to main content
A man standing on a platform, holding a rope and a stick.

Yong Term 2

20 - 23 June 2023

In the Studio | Sydney Opera House Presents | Schools

Solo Theatre Performance | Stages 3 - 5

Set against the backdrop of the Australian Goldrush of 1857, mixing historical fact and narrative fiction, Yong takes us on a coming-of-age journey of a young Chinese boy across land and sea, from China to the goldfields of Australia.

Yong is a universally resonant story about a young boy who must learn to step out of the shadow of other people’s expectations to find himself.

Jenevieve Chang, writer

Teacher’s Resource Pack

Our resources are packed with practical, creative activities that will add to your students’ experience. 

Download

Curriculum Links

Exploring themes of characterisation, social and political history, solo performance, vocal and physicalisation techniques, exploring characters, use of transitions, Chinese-Australian identity and the Goldrush, family and history, migration and social history in English, Languages (Chinese), History, Modern History and Drama.

Download

Resources for teachers

The Opera House’s Teacher Resources provide inspirational activities to watch, listen and read for students in the classroom or learning at home. 

Find classroom resources

A story of overcoming adversity and building courage

A storm rages. Thunder cracks, the wind a mournful howl, rain falls and waves crash. The wooden boat bucks and heaves. Yong holds on tight. He looks up at the moon and thinks of home.

Set against the backdrop of the Australian Goldrush of 1857, Yong is a new Australian play by Jenevieve Chang. Mixing historical fact and narrative fiction, Yong takes us on a journey across land and sea, from China to the goldfields of Australia. In overcoming difficult challenges, he discovers a resilience in himself that he never knew he had.

Please note that the production contains Themes of Parental Death, Racism and Simulated Violence.

A Monkey Baa Theatre Company production
Written for the stage by Jenevieve Chang
Based on the book Yong: The Journey of an Unworthy Son by Janeen Brian published by Walker Books Australia Pty Ltd

Supported by
The Australian Government RISE fund
Australia Council for the Arts
NSW Government

Presented by Sydney Opera House

Australia Council for the Arts
NSW Government

About Monkey Baa Theatre Company

Monkey Baa Theatre Company creates and presents great theatre for young people. They collaborate with internationally acclaimed authors, award-winning creatives, and most importantly, imaginative young people, in bringing their shows to life.

Over 25 years, Monkey Baa has become one of Australia’s widest touring companies with 38 national tours to 135 regional and remote communities, 5 international tours and over 3500 performances reaching over 1.5 million young people.

The stories Monkey Baa shares embrace social and cultural connections, celebrate our rich cultural heritage and inspire young audiences to learn about the world and their place in it.

Join our family of teachers and educators

Hear about upcoming performance and workshops for schools, along with the latest digital resources for students and teachers.

Sign up to our newsletter

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

You may also like

Schools

Sweeney Todd

Musical Theatre | Stages 5 - 6 | Students are invited to attend the deliciously dark tale of Sweeney Todd. A gruesome story of a man who is living life by the razor’s edge. 

26 Jun - 31 Dec 2023 Schools

Dissecting Geometry

Schools WorkshopStages 3 - 4 | Students in years 5 - 9 will learn about architecture, perspective, geometry and Jorn Utzon and Ove Arup’s Spherical Solution to gain an understanding of the mechanics, engineering and sheer creativity involved in constructing the iconic Sydney Opera House.

1 Nov 2023 Schools

FANGIRLS How to Write a Musical!

Performance Making Workshop Stages 5 - 6 | Learn how to write a musical without playing a musical instrument with the creator, writer, composer, and lyricist of Fangirls, Yve Blake.