Yong

Explore Chinese-Australian history through a timeless coming-of-age story

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.

Yong and his father leave their small village and travel across the seas hoping to strike gold and find their fortune in the goldfields of Ballarat. However, despite his family’s desperate need for money, Yong does not want to be on this journey. On the surface, he is an honourable son, but bubbling below is deepening resentment for his father and a longing for home. Faced with momentous change, Yong’s courage and inner strength are tested, and in overcoming difficult challenges, he discovers a resilience in himself that he never knew he had.

Monkey Baa’s Artistic Director Eva Di Cesare has assembled an extraordinary creative team to translate the semi-fictional, historically significant story to the stage. Much more than a period piece, Monkey Baa’s latest offering has been created with the sensibilities of a contemporary young audience at its heart.

The production of Yong is based on ‘Yong: the journey of an unworthy son’ by Janeen Brian, published by Walker Books Australia Pty Ltd, Sydney.

*Please be advised that the production contains themes of parental death, racism, and simulated violence. We recommend schools consider these themes when deciding if the content is suitable for their students.

A Monkey Baa Theatre Company Production
Written by Jenevieve Chang
Based on the book Yong: The Journey of an Unworthy Son by Janeen Brian published by Walker Books Australia Pty Ltd
Created in collaboration with Her Majesty’s Theatre, Ballarat and Bendigo Venues & Events

Dates July to August 2025
Duration 60 minutes, no interval
Ages Ages 10-13

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Creative Team

Writer

Jenevieve Chang

Director

Darren Yap

Production Designer Production Designer

James Browne

Composer

Max Lambert

Lighting Designer

Ben Brockman

Movement Director

Angie Diaz

Sound Designer

Zac Saric

Adaptation Consultant

Sandra Eldridge

Chinese Cultural Consultant

Charles Zhang

First Nations Consultant & writer of the First Nations scene

Richard Frankland

Illustrations by

Kim Siew

Photos by

Tiffany Garvie, featuring performer Wern Mak

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.

"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

Acknowledgements

Supported by

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund and Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body. Monkey Baa is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.

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