Yong

A Monkey Baa Theatre Company production presented by Bunjil Place.

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

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

Set against the backdrop of the Australian Goldrush of 1857, Yong is an 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.

“Writer Jenevieve Chang (The Good Girl of Chinatown) has innovatively adapted Brian's book into a dynamic, contemporary and poignant play, with Director Darren Yap deftly shaping the complexities of the one-man show with tenderness and subtlety.”

“James Browne's theatrical, masterful set combines clever details and AV elements, Max Lambert's original music (including the voices of local Ballarat singers), with Zac Saric's sound design and Ben Brockman's lighting transport audiences East to West, across time and place.”

“A sprawling, timeless, coming-of-age story… created with the sensibilities of a contemporary young audience at its heart.” Broadway World

Creative Team
Writer: Jenevieve Chang
Director: Darren Yap
Production Designer: James Browne
Composer: Max Lambert
Lighting Designer: Ben Brockman
Movement Director: Angie Diaz
Sound Designer: Zac Saric
Adaptation Consultant: Sandie Eldridge
Chinese Cultural Consultant: Charles Zhang
First Nations Consultant & writer of the First Nations scene: Richard Frankland
Photo by Tiffany Garvie, featuring Wern Mak

Duration: 60 minutes, no interval
10 minute Q&A
The cast will deliver a post show Q&A after each schools’ performance.

Audience: Primary and Secondary
This offering is on the VCE Theatre Studies Playlist.

Content Warning: 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.

Links to Curriculum

ENGLISH 5-8 LANGUAGE, LITERATURE, LITERACY 
HISTORY 5-6 INQUIRY SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING
THE ARTS DRAMA 5-8
HISTORY 7
THE ASIAN WORLD, HISTORICAL SKILLS
HISTORY 8 
HISTORICAL SKILLS
GENERAL CAPABILITIES: Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical Understanding, Personal and Social Capability, Intercultural Understanding 

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