Are We There Yet?, Sydney Opera House. Photo credit: Jaimi Joy
A play by Finegan Kruckemeyer
Based on the book by Alison Lester AM
The Playhouse stage is set this summer holidays for 8-year-old Grace and her family to embark on a true coming-of-age tale that sees them journey across Australia.
The camper van that serves as home for their 3-month expedition is the focal point of the play, with the audience experiencing the family’s adventures through the eyes of Grace and her brothers. A whole host of iconic Australian landmarks come to life through the narrative including the Great Australian Bight, Uluru, Surfer’s Paradise and a hilarious snapshot of Sydney which of course includes the inimitable Sydney Opera House.
The staging is simplistic, the acting poetic (and at times funny and silly), and the mood is wonderfully nostalgic with a beautiful message underlying.
Are We There Yet?, Sydney Opera House. Photo credit: Jaimi Joy
We watch as the family starts off with initial excitement, full of expectation for their impending adventure. Well on their way, excitement turns to irritation as the reality of sharing such a tiny living space for weeks on end takes its toll, but ultimately we see the family overcome this and other humps to recognise the unique traits in one another and how much they truly enjoy each other’s company.
Seeing Australia and its many terrains and iterations through this wonderfully relatable journey has left me with a desire to immediately run out and buy a camper van and bundle my own family on board for the adventure of a lifetime!!
Are We There Yet?, Sydney Opera House. Photo credit: Jaimi Joy
A Personal Observation…
A beautiful adaptation of this Aussie story, my 7 year-old son thoroughly enjoyed it, particularly as he has read the book in school and was familiar with the tale. However, though the show is recommended for children aged 3+, my 5 year-old daughter found it difficult to stay engaged throughout.
This was just our personal experience, and perhaps useful for other parents to consider if planning to take very young children who may struggle to sit through almost an hour. I believe this production is more suited to slightly older children as per my son’s experience.
Are We There Yet?, Sydney Opera House. Photo credit: Jaimi Joy
Show Information:
Are we there yet? plays in The Playhouse, Sydney Opera House
The season runs until Sunday 22 January, with showtimes at 10am, 12pm and 2.30pm.
Standard tickets from $35 (plus $8.50 booking fee).
The running time is 55 minutes with no interval.
Recommended for kids aged 3-10yo (see ‘personal observation’).
Toilets are located in the foyer of The Playhouse and near the Opera Bar as you come up from the carpark.
Parking Information
You can book parking via Wilson Parking Book a Bay, it is $39 for a Flexi Saver - with this option you can stay an hour or all day and go have lunch in the Opera Bar or take a jaunt to the neighbouring Royal Botanic Gardens or peruse The Rocks.
Other travel options
The Sydney Opera House is located close to Circular Quay which is serviced by the light rail, trains, buses and ferries.