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... BullyBullyBullyBully
6 Jul 2025 to 12 Jul 2025 Session Times
Sunday 6 July 202510am, 12pm
Monday 7 July 202510am, 12pm
Tuesday 8 July 202510am, 12pm
Thursday 10 July 202510am, 12pm
Friday 11 July 202510am, 12pm
Saturday 12 July 202510am, 12pm
Standard tickets from $35
Play
The 39 StepsThe 39 Steps
2 Sep 2025 to 6 Sep 2025
$65-$120
Play
Betrayal by Harold PinterBetrayal by Harold Pinter
18 Jul 2025 to 10 Aug 2025 Session Times
FRI, 18 JUL 7:00pM
SAT, 19 JUL 2:00pM & 7:00pM
SUN, 20 JUL 5:00pM
TUE, 22 JUL 7:00pM
WED, 23 JUL 7:00pM
THU, 24 JUL 7:00pM
FRI, 25 JUL 7:00pM
SAT, 26 JUL 2:00PM & 7:00pM
SUN, 27 JUl 5:00pM
TUE, 29 JUL 7:00pM
WED, 30 JUL 7:00pM
THU, 31 JUL 7:00pM
FRI, 1 AUG 7:00pM
SAT, 2 AUG 2:00PM & 7:00pM
SUN, 3 AUG 5:00pM
TUE, 5 AUG 7:00pM
WED, 6 AUG 7:00pM
THU, 7 AUG 7:00pM
FRI, 8 AUg 7:00pM
SAT, 9 AUG 2:00pM & 7:00pM
SUN, 10 AUG 5:00pM
$29.70 - $60.50
Play
The Lady Vanishes The Lady Vanishes
20 Jun 2025 to 26 Jul 2025 Session Times
Fridays and Saturdays 7.30pm
Sundays 4.30pm
$30-$35
Play
HENRY 6HENRY 6
10 Jul 2025 to 2 Aug 2025 Session Times
Thursday 10th July 7.30pm (Part 1)
Friday 11th July 7.30pm (Part 1)
Saturday 12th July 2.00pm (Part 1)
Saturday 12th July 7.30pm (Part 1)
Thursday 17th July 7.30pm (Part 2)
Friday 18th July 7.30pm (Part 2)
Saturday 19th July 2.00pm (Part 2)
Saturday 19th July 7.30pm (Part 2)
Thursday 24th July 7.30pm (Part 3)
Friday 25th July 7.30pm (Part 3)
Saturday 26th July 2.00pm (Part 3)
Saturday 26th July 7.30pm (Part 3)
Wednesday 30th July 7.30pm (Part 1)
Thursday 31st July 7.30pm (Part 3)
Friday 1st August 7.30pm (Part 3)
Saturday 2nd August 11.00am (Part 1)
Saturday 2nd August 3.00pm (Part 2)
Saturday 2nd August 7.30pm (Part 3)
$42-50
Play