Yong
Explore Chinese-Australian history through a timeless coming-of-age story
Yong
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.
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
Jenevieve Chang
Darren Yap
James Browne
Max Lambert
Ben Brockman
Angie Diaz
Zac Saric
Sandra Eldridge
Charles Zhang
Richard Frankland
Kim Siew
Tiffany Garvie, featuring performer Wern Mak
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
Ticketing
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VIC
MelbourneArts Centre Melbourne 30 Jul – 04 Aug, 2025Buy TicketsBallaratHer Majesty's Theatre Ballarat 07 Aug – 08 Aug, 2025Coming SoonSheppertonRiverlinks 12 Aug 2025Coming SoonNunawadingThe Round 20 Aug – 21 Aug, 2025Buy TicketsMonee PondsClocktower Centre 23 Aug 2025Buy TicketsBendigoUlumbarra Theatre 26 Aug 2025Buy Tickets
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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