Yong
Newsletter
Theatre
Her Majesty’s Theatre Ballarat and Monkey Baa Theatre Presents
Yong
A Monkey Baa Theatre Company Production
Written by Jenevieve Chang
Based on the book by Janeen Brian
Written by Jenevieve Chang
Based on the book by Janeen Brian
07 Aug 2025
– 08 Aug 2025
Sessions
Information
Show type
Theatre
duration
60 Minutes (no interval)
Location
Her Majesty's Theatre Ballarat
Time
7 August: 1PM (Matinee)
There will be a short post-show Q-and-A with the Technical Coordinator and Alan Zhu for the matinee session only.
8 August: 7:30PM
There will be a short post-show Q-and-A with the Technical Coordinator and Alan Zhu for the matinee session only.
8 August: 7:30PM
Prices
Full: $35
Concession: $30
School Student: $20
$30 Under 30: $30
Family (2 adults and 2 children): $120
Cheap Seats: $25
Mob Tix: $25
We are proud to offer Mob Tix. These are discounted tickets for self-identified First Nations People to selected shows at Ballarat’s Cultural Venues.
School Bookings
For All Schools booking please contact the box office via hermaj@hermaj.com or 03 5333 5888
Concession: $30
School Student: $20
$30 Under 30: $30
Family (2 adults and 2 children): $120
Cheap Seats: $25
Mob Tix: $25
We are proud to offer Mob Tix. These are discounted tickets for self-identified First Nations People to selected shows at Ballarat’s Cultural Venues.
School Bookings
For All Schools booking please contact the box office via hermaj@hermaj.com or 03 5333 5888
Suitable for
Ages 10+
Additional information
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Monkey Baa creates great theatre for young people and for over 26 years we have presented award-winning theatrical experiences that inspire and empower audiences across Australia. We are one of Australia's widest touring companies, with over 29 national tours to 135 regional and remote communities, 5 international tours and 4,000 performances reaching more than 1.5 million young people.
We empower young people to shape their lives through inspiring theatre and creative experiences. We create, present and tour performances powered by imagination, with eye-opening ideas and boundless fun. Our vision is a world where all young people are emboldened by creativity and our mission is to empower young people to shape and navigate their lives through inspirational theatre and creative experiences. To learn more, visit monkeybaa.com.au
Monkey Baa creates great theatre for young people and for over 26 years we have presented award-winning theatrical experiences that inspire and empower audiences across Australia. We are one of Australia's widest touring companies, with over 29 national tours to 135 regional and remote communities, 5 international tours and 4,000 performances reaching more than 1.5 million young people.
We empower young people to shape their lives through inspiring theatre and creative experiences. We create, present and tour performances powered by imagination, with eye-opening ideas and boundless fun. Our vision is a world where all young people are emboldened by creativity and our mission is to empower young people to shape and navigate their lives through inspirational theatre and creative experiences. To learn more, visit monkeybaa.com.au
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.
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.
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.
AWARDS
Best Production for Children – 2023 Sydney Theatre Award
REVIEWS
“Innovatively adapted… a dynamic, contemporary and poignant play. A sprawling, timeless, coming-of-age story.” - Broadway World
Created in collaboration with Her Majesty’s Theatre Ballarat and Bendigo Venues & Events.
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.
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. The production also contains the use of theatrical haze and strobe lighting effects
Learn More with the Interactive Picture Book!
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.
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.
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.
AWARDS
Best Production for Children – 2023 Sydney Theatre Award
REVIEWS
“Innovatively adapted… a dynamic, contemporary and poignant play. A sprawling, timeless, coming-of-age story.” - Broadway World
Created in collaboration with Her Majesty’s Theatre Ballarat and Bendigo Venues & Events.
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.
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. The production also contains the use of theatrical haze and strobe lighting effects
Learn More with the Interactive Picture Book!
Cast & Creatives
Alan Zhu
Yong
Yong
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 and writer of the First Nations scene
Richard Frankland
Illustration
Kim Siew
Alan Zhu
Yong
Alan can be recently seen in the Paramount+ television series NCIS: SYDNEY and the Binge television series, STRIFE. In 2024 he also starred in the Monkey Baa Theatre production THE PEASANT PRINCE. In 2023 he starred in Sydney Theatre Company’s (STC) production of ON THE BEACH, the National Theatre of Parramatta’s THE LIFE CYCLE OF BLANCO. In 2022 he starred in Sydney Theatre Company's (STC) production of DEATH OF A SALESMAN and in the National Theatre’s production of A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO SELF DEFENCE.
His other credits include the Screen NSW short film WE’VE GOT ME, the Cannes Shorts nominated short film MUMLIFE, the short film, REPRESSION, and the feature film, MR RED BEAN. Alan graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting) from NIDA in 2020.
His other credits include the Screen NSW short film WE’VE GOT ME, the Cannes Shorts nominated short film MUMLIFE, the short film, REPRESSION, and the feature film, MR RED BEAN. Alan graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting) from NIDA in 2020.