An adaptation of Cher Chidzey’s novel about Ken, a middle-aged Chinese engineer who arrives in Australia with a fake identity on a holiday working visa.

Ken has big dreams of wealth to be made for the benefit of his family, but his imminent visa expiry forces him to enroll in a communication course at TAFE. Meeting Julia, his communication teacher shifts his quest to embracing life… Ken’s Quest gives insight into migrants’ frustrations over workplace dynamics, underemployment, discrimination, and alienation.

This multilingual (English and Mandarin) reading will be performed by an exciting, culturally diverse cast.

Adapted and Directed by Adam Cass

It is with sadness and concern for our artists that we will be postponing this production

We hope to re-program this playreading later in 2020 and trust you will understand the need for this decision at this time.

We strongly encourage anyone who has bought a ticket to consider making this a donation to the artists involved. This is a very unnerving time for all, but the independent arts sector is, as always, particularly vulnerable. The artists have been working very hard and we hope to support them as best as we can. We have set up the possibility of donating directly to artists.

Shanghainese Ken bribed his way to a holiday work visa. Ethnocentric Ken clashes with xenophobic Red, his Ocker assistant. Further souring of relationship avoided when Ken saves Red’s dog. Friendship soothes Red’s fear of displacement, dilutes Ken’s cultural superiority.

Imminent visa expiry forces Ken to look for marriage of convenience but he fails. He meets Julia, his Aussie teacher who loves him but peels off his arrogance, lies and clothes.

Ken’s quest shifted. Both transformed.

Adapted by Adam Cass from the novel by Cher Chidzey