Thai-riffic! School holiday cross-cultural fun

Sponsored by Monkey Baa Theatre Company

Thai-riffic! is a new Australian play adapted from the best-selling novel by children’s author Oliver Phommavanh. It is an hilarious and heartfelt story about acceptance of differences, especially cultural ones.

Tweens that might feel they are different for whatever reason will particularly relate. And aren’t we all in those shoes from time to time?

As our world continues to be rocked by horrific acts of violence, encouraging cultural awareness and appreciation in our children is vital. This play is a light-hearted insight into the challenges faced by migrants, especially their children.

As children morph into tweens, feeling like you don’t fit in is universal. But growing up and developing your own identity is even more challenging when your parents are from a different culture. Trying to assimilate into the crowd of kids at school, while wanting to stay true to your parents’ values is enormously difficult. Kids have enough to deal with as they go though puberty without this added stress!

Oliver Phommavanh has managed to capture the experience of many Australian children growing up in immigrant families.

Albert “Lengy” Lengviriyakul is the son of Thai immigrants who own a restaurant called Thai-riffic! – which he finds very embarrassing. Lengy is about to start high school and is desperate to transform his image and just eat some pizza! But when his teacher sets a group assignment that focuses on another culture, it becomes apparent that Lengy won’t be able to get away from his past as easily as he would like.

Through a series of events involving bulk toilet paper, a purple curry and a trip to the Thai New Year Songkran Festival, Lengy discovers that his Thai background is pretty awesome after all.

We are huge fans of Monkey Baa and have loved the plays we’ve seen there to date. Monkey Baa creates wonderfully imaginative plays where young people’s interests are truly valued and respected.

The development of Thai-riffic! was supported by Riverside Theatres.

Make a day of it

With a wealth of family-friendly entertainment on the Lendlease Darling Quarter Theatre’s doorstep, make a day of it and immerse yourself in some fabulous Asian culture a short walk away.

Lunch at Nok Nok Thai Eating House

With all that talk of Thai food in the play, give it a try yourself with lunch at nearby Nok Nok Thai Eating House.

Darling Quarter Playground

This is a serious playground that has plenty of tween-friendly action, like the 21 metre flying fox and giant swing. Avid climbers will get to the top of the 10 metre tall octanet in no time!

Chinese Garden of Friendship

Take a stroll through Sydney’s secret garden. Feed the koi fish or enjoy some Chinese tea at the Teahouse. This is a beautifully peaceful hidden oasis.