Two women, two journeys to Australia - a sinking boat, a hospital ward. Decades later they meet for pho or faan - noodles or rice - to stitch and reminisce.
Cuc Nguyen and her friend Tiang Lim came to Australia via vastly different routes. Cuc survived a boat sinking after she left her country as a refugee from wartorn Vietnam. Tiang arrived in Sydney as a trainee nurse from Malaysia. As young women without family support they forged their way, surmounting barriers, learning the peculiarities of Australian English, raising families and building careers. Despite their commitment to mastering English, coming to grips with the Australian idiom has been challenging, confusing and often comical. Their experiences - sad, happy and hilarious - are the basis of this play.Tiang Lim is a comedian, actor and writer - talents she has developed in later life. She won the Wollongong Raw Comedy Award in 2026, and most recently performed in a A Chinese Christmas at KXT Theatre in Sydney.Beyond the stage, Tiang is a registered nurse, midwife, and holds a BSc in Psychology, a Graduate Diploma in Adult Education, an MBA, and an MSc in Dementia Care.Cuc Nguyen had a decades long career in Australia Post and after retirement was persuaded to overcome her shyness and join the Older Women's Network Theatre Group. As her confidence has grown, she has presented at Generation Women and performed in the Adelaide and Sydney Fringe Festivals with the OWN Theatre Group. A talented seamstress, she designs the group's distinctive costumes.Cuc and Tiang perform at the Fringe with the support of the Newtown based Older Women’s Network Theatre Group. They both love cooking and food, and unlike their early days in Australia, there is plenty of pho and faan – noodles and rice – to share.
