We Come From Far, Far Away Term 2
15 - 19 May 2023
In the Studio
Australian Premiere
Flying in direct from Norway, comes an inspiring true story performed in a traditional Mongolian Yurt. This remarkable story uses shadow puppetry, comedy and live music to tell the moving journey of two young boys seeking refuge.
Program runs in Term 2, 15 - 19 May 2023
Monday 15 May: 12.30pm
Tuesday 16 May 10am and 12.30pm
Wednesday 17 May 10am and 12.30pm
Thursday 18 May 10am and 12.30pm
Friday 19 May 10am and 12.30pm
Standard tickets from $25
| Ticket | Price & Description |
| Student | $25 |
One complimentary teacher per class. Ratio required for supervision is 1 teacher per 15 students. The only authorised ticket agency for this event is the Sydney Opera House. For more information about Authorised Agencies, see the FAQ below.
Suitable for Stages 3 - 4
This event is recommended for Years 5 - 8
Run time:
This program runs for 55 minutes + a 15 minutes Q&A
Event duration is a guide only and may be subject to change
The StageNIE tells this story with such care, unassuming theatricality and direct engagement with its young audience. Such beautifully pointed work.
Stories full of energy and hope for the future
Inside the theatre is a big tent.
Inside the big tent is a smaller tent.
Inside this smaller tent is a boy.
He is called Abdallah, and he comes from Syria. He wants to tell you some things, about life, boats, tents, trains and phones, McDonalds and about Death. He also has a secret about promises that have been made and broken.
From Norwegian/Czech/British company NIE (New International Encounter) comes a tale inspired by true stories. Performed in a traditional Mongolian Yurt, We Come From Far, Far Away uses storytelling, shadow puppetry, comedy, clowning and live music to tell a big story in an intimate way. It tells the true story of one boy and his friend, instilled with humour, energy and hope.
Sydney Opera House presents a New International Encounter production
Gallery
We Come From Far, Far Away is performed in the immersive setting of a Mongolian yurt! Students and teachers will also sit within this yurt during the performance.
What is a Mongolian Yurt?
A yurt is a portable, circular tent made of flexible wood and covered in felt or skins. Yurts have been the primary style of home in Central Asia, particularly Mongolia, for thousands of years.
If your team have any additional accessibility queries or needs, please reach out to our team when booking at creativelearning@sydneyoperahouse.com
About NIE (New International Encounter)
Award-winning European theatre-makers NIE developed We Come From Far, Far Away working with Hvalstad Transittmottak, a centre that provides a first reception point for young refugees (aged 13 – 18) who have arrived alone to claim asylum in Norway.
The performance is based on a documentary and was shared with NIE through talks and workshops. The participants’ stories are troublesome and unbelievable, but as with most young people, the stories shared are filled with energy, life force and hope for the future.
Formed in 2001, Over the past 20 years, NIE has created 39 shows and performed more than 3500 times in over 1000 places across three continents.
NIE rehearsed its first three shows in the old Sokol gymnastic hall in Mseno, a small town in the north of the Czech Republic. Those three shows – My Long Journey Home, Past Half Remembered and The End of Everything Ever – won numerous awards and were performed all over the world, from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to New York, Mexico City and Seoul. They now form the European Narratives Trilogy, and still tour together for special festivals.
Since creating the Trilogy, NIE has gone on to create new shows in co-production with venues and theatre companies from across Europe, including site-specific work and theatre for younger audiences.
Arts Assist
The Sydney Opera House is committed to providing the very best national and international performing arts experiences to NSW students as part of their educational studies.
The Sydney Opera House Arts Assist program provides the full cost of the Creative Learning performance ticket and $5 per student toward travel costs. School applications are assessed according to socioeconomic disadvantage, schools with special needs and individual responses regarding the School Profile and School Community.
The Sydney Opera House thanks and acknowledges our generous Arts Assist donors; The Greatorex Foundation and Sydney Opera House Ladies’ Committee.
Looking for the general public performance?
From Norway comes an inspiring true story performed in a traditional Mongolian Yurt, using storytelling, shadow puppetry, comedy and live music following the moving journey of two young boys seeking refuge.
Other information
Venue information
Our foyers will be open 60 minutes pre-show for Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and two hours pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances. Refreshments will be available for purchase from our theatre bars.
All Sydney Opera House foyers are pram accessible, with lifts to the main and western foyers. The public lift to all foyers is accessible from the corridor near the escalators on the Lower Concourse and also in the Western Foyer via the corridor on the Ground Level (at the top of the escalators). Pram parking will be available outside the theatres in the Western Foyer.
Frequently asked questions
We recommend your group arrives early at the venue, at least 45 minutes prior to the performance start time.
If you are late, we will seat you as soon as possible, but please be aware that some events have lock out periods where late comers cannot be admitted until a suitable break in the performance. Occasionally this is not until the interval, and in some instances late comers won’t be admitted at all.
Please call Front of House on 02 9250 7134 to notify us if your group is running late.
The closest location to disembark from buses and coaches is on Macquarie Street. Please contact City of Sydney to confirm bus and coach set down areas. We recommend allowing an additional 10 minutes for walking from Macquarie Street. There is no bus parking onsite at Sydney Opera House.
Circular Quay is the closest station for public transport via train, bus and ferry. We recommend allowing 15 minutes to walk from Circular Quay for school groups. To view timetable information and ensure your public transport needs can be met, please contact Transport NSW. Please check the Transport NSW website for the latest advice and information on COVID-19 safety measures for public transport.
The safety and security of everyone visiting our site is paramount. We require all items larger than the dimensions of an A4 piece of paper to be cloaked. As our cloakrooms have limited space, we request that where possible teachers and students do not bring large bags/backpacks with them to the performance.
Yes. Please visit our Policies page for more information.
If your students are bringing a packed lunch, Royal Botanic Gardens adjacent to the Opera House is quite pleasant in fine weather. Alternatively, our restaurants offer everything from casual snacks to kid friendly meals.
Food and drink are permitted inside the foyers, but not in the venues.
Please contact our Creative Learning Ticketing Specialists on 02 9250 7770 as soon as possible to advise if your group can no longer attend. If your group can no longer attend because your school is located in a hotspot, or has had a positive case of COVID-19 symptoms, the Opera House has introduced flexible ticketing options to help you.
The Opera House is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children that visit or engage with us. Read our Child Safety Policy.
The Opera House has also developed a Child-friendly Code of Conduct to engage with our youngest visitors.
Getting here
The Sydney Opera House Car Park, operated by Wilson Parking, is open and available to use. Wilson Parking offer discounted parking if you book ahead. Please see the Wilson Parking website for details.
Please check the Transport NSW website for the latest advice and information on travel. You can catch public transport (bus, train, ferry) to Circular Quay and enjoy a six min walk to the Opera House.
Covid-safe information
The health and wellbeing of everyone attending the Opera House is our top priority. We’re committed to making your experience safe, comfortable and enjoyable, with a number of measures in place including regular cleaning of high-touch areas, air conditioning systems that maximise ventilation, and hand sanitiser stations positioned in all paths of travel. We remind our audiences and visitors to please stay home if you feel unwell. If you need to discuss your ticketing or booking options, contact our Box Office team on 02 9250 7777.
The health and wellbeing of everyone attending the Opera House is our top priority. We have a number of safety measures in place including regular cleaning of high-touch areas, air conditioning systems that maximise ventilation, and hand sanitiser stations positioned in all paths of travel. While face masks are no longer required, we ask all our patrons and visitors to practise good hygiene. Please stay home if you feel unwell and read more about our flexible ticket options.
The Sydney Opera House no longer requires patrons to show that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
You may also like
Stories from the Reef
Schools Workshop | Early Stage 1 – 1 | Inspired by the Sydney Opera House Artificial Reef Project, students learn about sustainability and marine habitats. Learning through theatre play and combining drama, storytelling and movement the workshop teaches students about the science and marine life of the Harbour.
Sydney Rock Lobster Shake
Ages 7 - 11 | Make and decorate your choice of wearable rock lobster claws or pearl clammy hands before choreographing and performing a group dance routine in our Centre for Creativity!
Lyrebird Harps
Ages 7+ | Learn how to create a lyrebird-shaped harp and a leaf crown!
Join Ms Anney B to learn about ancient Greek rock stars known as “bards” as well as Australia’s own musical genius – the superb lyrebird.