We Come From Far, Far Away

A person holds up a small toy, shining a torch on it.
  • Kids & Families
  • Theatre
  • Wild Things
  • Studio
  • Run time: 75 minutes, including 60min show and 15min Q&A Subject to change

Based on the real journeys of young refugees, brought to life inside a Mongolian yurt

Norway | Czech Republic | United Kingdom

Inside the theatre is a big tent. Inside the big tent is a smaller tent. Inside this smaller tent is a boy. He is called Abdallah, and he comes from Syria. He wants to tell you some things, about life, boats, tents, trains and phones, McDonalds and about death.

His story is not his alone. Together with his friend, Abdallah takes audiences on an extraordinary journey across Europe — through Turkey, Greece, Macedonia and onwards to Oslo — sharing real stories of friendship, fear, survival and hope. Based on true encounters with unaccompanied young refugees from Syria and Afghanistan, this is a big story told in the most intimate way.

Performed inside a traditional Mongolian yurt, audiences sit on the floor, up close with the performers as live music, storytelling, clowning and shadow theatre transform a small tent into a world of wonder, humour and hope.

For a deeper experience, after every show, join the European artists for a discussion about We Come from Far, Far Away. Young audiences can ask the artists questions and hear about the inspiration behind the show.

Winner of the Hedda Award for Best Performance for Young Audiences, 2017 (Norway).

We Come from Far, Far Away is supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Arts Council Norway.

Sydney Opera House presents a New International Encounter (NIE) production

Event details

This touching and humorous piece of theatre brings these necessary stories from far, far, away, much closer to home

Edinburgh Guide

This is a truly magical experience for young audiences — performed inside a yurt where the action unfolds all around them, the performance tells a story that is both deeply moving and profoundly relevant for our times. 

Why the Wild Things Festival Curator loves this show

Meet the cast

Headshot of Václav Kalivoda

Headshot of Iva Moberg

Headshot of Nora Svalheim

Headshot of Danny Takieddin

About New International Encounter (NIE)

New International Encounter (NIE) is an international company that makes award-winning theatre performances and projects through a mix of physical theatre, multiple languages, live music, storytelling and a European ensemble. They have offices in Asker, Norway, in Prague, Czech Republic and in Cambridge in the UK. 

They make theatre shows for children, young people, families and adults – for anyone who loves a great story. 

They bring together artists from different places, backgrounds and trainings to work together. They work with communities, school classes and places to co-create imaginative and transformative performance projects. 

They host talent development opportunities where they share their ways of working, their ways of seeing and being together and their ways of looking at the world.

Cast and credits

Director Alex Byrne
Director and Dramaturg Kjell Moberg
Lighting Design Šimon Kočí
Set Design Kateřina Housková 
Music Director David Hlaváč
Technician Lukáš Kalivoda
Technician Jan Kalivoda
Technician and Production Assistant Alexander Moberg

Cast Members 
Václav Kalidova
Iva Moberg
Robert Orr
Nils Oortwijn
Helder Deploige
Nora Svalheim
 

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Plan your visit

Address

Sydney Opera House
Bennelong Point
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

Getting to the venue

The Opera House is a 7-10 minute walk from Circular Quay, and is easily accessible by car, train, ferry, lightrail, bus, bike and on foot.

Location and access

Studio

The Studio is located in the north-western corner of Sydney Opera House, best accessed through the Western Foyers.

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