Yong Term 2
20 - 23 June 2023
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.
Date |
Time |
Tuesday 20 June |
10am, 12.45pm |
Wednesday 21 June |
10am, 12.45pm |
Thursday 22 June |
10am, 12.45pm |
Friday 23 June |
10am, 12.45pm |
Ticket |
Price |
Student |
$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 Stages 3 - 5
This event is recommended for Years 5 - 10.
Please note that the production contains Themes of Parental Death, Racism and Simulated Violence.
Run time
Event duration is 60 minutes + 10 minute Q&A.
Event duration is a guide only and may be subject to change.
Jenevieve Chang, writerYong 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.
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



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.
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.
Looking for the general public performance?
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.
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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