Riverside Theatres and A FEM Presents are thrilled to stage Thai-riffic!, by Nathan Luff, an adaption of much- loved children’s author Oliver Phommavanh’s best-selling novel.
A hilarious and heartfelt play about acceptance, family and belonging, Thai-riffic is one of few Australian-based productions for young people with a story about second generation Thai Australians, reflecting our contemporary Australian community in a laugh-out-loud show for all audiences aged 7-14 and their families.
Albert “Lengy” Lengviriyakul is the son of Thai immigrants who own Western Sydney restaurant Thai-riffic. He is about to start high school and is desperate to transform his image and just eat some pizza. When his teacher sets a group assignment that focuses on another culture, it becomes apparent that Lengy will not be able to get away from his embarrassing family 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 his Thai background is pretty awesome after all.
Director, Lisa Freshwater says, “When adapting Thai-riffic!, we lifted Oliver’s witty, faced paced dialogue and Evi O’s animations off the page and incorporated lots of movement, an ever changing video backdrop and live cooking to bring it to life on stage. The show is a feast for the senses, to be enjoyed by everyone, but ultimately, it’s a work that centres the experience of a second-generation Aussie and his family for all those young people who don’t normally see themselves centre stage”.
Author, Oliver Phommavanh says, “I’m thrilled to see Thai-riffic! return to the stage. The production perfectly captures the heart and humour of the book, using all of its best elements to create a fresh perspective of Lengy’s journey as he finds his place within his family and at school. Thai-riffic! fans and readers will adore seeing Lengy and his friends come to life.”
Since the novel was first published in 2010, Thai-riffic! has sold more than 30,000 copies. Oliver Phommavanh has become one of Australia’s best loved authors of literature for young people, having published two more books in the Thai-riffic! Series.
Oliver will be holding a book signing at Riverside Theatres prior to the public performance on Tuesday 28th June.
When: General Performance: Tuesday 28 June 2022 at 6:30pm
School Performances: Wednesday 29 June 2022 at 10:15am & 1pm (Relaxed Performance)
Where: Riverside Theatres – Corner of Church and Market St, Parramatta
Tickets: Adults $35, Concession $31, 30 & Under $28, 18 & Under $25, Groups 8+ $31, School Groups/ Teachers $22. Discounts available for Riverside Theatres’ Members. Transaction fee $4.60.
Bookings via https://riversideparramatta.com.au/show/thairiffic/, phone at 8839 3399, or Box Office Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9:30am – 1pm and one hour prior to performance.
Performance Warning: this production contains live cooking (food smells).
COVID Safety Information:
Riverside Theatres is a registered COVID Safe venue with the NSW Government. The health and safety of all Riverside patrons and staff is at the forefront of all operations. Vaccination is critical in helping to protect our community from COVID-19 and is an important part of our COVID-safe plan. For this reason, Riverside Theatres are extending the requirement for vaccination as a condition of entry to the venue for all patrons aged 16 years and over unless lawfully exempt, and will continue to require the wearing of masks indoors. Please check the conditions of entry and patron safety page prior to attending Riverside Theatres for the most up-to-date information.