A Practical Guide to Self Defence
National Theatre of Parramatta and Merrigong Theatre Company presents
A Practical Guide to Self Defence

20 Oct 2022 to 29 Oct 2022

Riverside’s National Theatre of Parramatta (NTofP) and Merrigong Theatre Company is thrilled to present the world premiere of A Practical Guide to Self Defence, a poignant perspective on “how to defeat the beast within”, at Riverside Theatres from 20th to 29th October 2022 and 9th to 12th November 2022 at Illawarra Performing Arts Centre.

A Practical Guide to Self Defence is a witty and action-packed account of growing up Asian in ‘80s Australia. Part play, part instructional guide, it is sprinkled with practical demonstrations, like how to trip and how to fall as we hurtle towards our existential contradiction–defeating the beast within.

Australian-Chinese playwright, Hung-Yen Yang, deftly blends creative storytelling, martial arts and multimedia, as he takes us on a time-travelling journey with his younger self to witness his unlikely transformation from pacifist, asthmatic geek to brutal fighting machine.

Starring Alan Zhu (STC’s Death of a Salesman) and Edric Hong (Bowie Productions and Chippen St Theatre’s Love Addict), this modern, funny, and deeply relatable play examines how everyday racism over the decades shapes decisions both good and bad.

Share This Event:   
Venue
Riverside Theatres - Lennox Theatre
Session TimesTicket PricesDuration
90 minutes
Restrictions/Warnings
You may also like... Ruins  Ruins
25 Sep 2025 to 10 Oct 2025 Session Times
Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30pm | Tuesdays at 6:30pm, Saturday 18th 2pm & 7:30pm
TICKETS $41 - $59
Play
The Face of JizoThe Face of Jizo
21 Aug 2025 to 6 Sep 2025 Session Times
Tuesdays at 6:30pm
Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 7:30pm
Saturdays at 2pm and 7:30pm
$39 -$59
Play
JuliaJulia
3 Sep 2025 to 13 Sep 2025 Session Times
Wed 3 Sep, 7:30pm; Thu 4 Sep, 6:30pm; Fri 5 Sep 7:30pm; Sat 6 Sep 1:30pm & 7:30pm; Mon 8 Sep, 6:30pm; Tue 9 Sep, 6:30pm; Wed 10 Sep, 6:30pm; Thu 11 Sep 11:00am & 6:30pm; Fri 12 Sep, 7:30pm; Sat 13 Sep, 1:30pm & 7:30pm.
From $84
Play
Moss PigletMoss Piglet
27 Sep 2025 to 28 Sep 2025 Session Times
DateTime
Saturday 27 September 202512pm*, 3pm, 6pm
Sunday 28 September 202511am, 1:30pm
From $35 + $8.95 booking fee
Play
Ken Ludwig's MORIARTY Ken Ludwig's MORIARTY
8 Aug 2025 to 13 Sep 2025 Session Times
Friday, 8 August at 7.30pm (preview)
Saturday, 9 August at 7.30pm
Sunday, 10 August at 4.30pm
Friday, 15 August at 7.30pm
Saturday, 16 August at 7.30pm
Sunday, 17 August at 4.30pm
Friday, 22 August at 7.30pm
Saturday, 23 August at 7.30pm
Sunday, 24 August at 4.30pm
Friday, 29 August at 7.30pm
Saturday, 30 August at 7.30pm
Sunday, 31 August at 4.30pm
Friday, 5 September at 7.30pm
Saturday, 6 September at 7.30pm
Sunday, 7 September at 4.30pm
Friday, 12 September at 7.30pm
Saturday, 13 September at 7.30pm
$30-$35
Play