Reviews

A Migrant’s Son is a fascinating exploration of a diasporic journey by the multi-talented Micheala Burger, who has written and performed her new cabaret show with genuine spirit and heartwarming vivaciousness.

The journey centres around Burger’s extended family, stemming back to her great–grandfather, when in 1936 a twelve year old Greek girl (her grandmother) sees her father for the first time after a ten year hiatus following her arrival in Australia.

There is no messing about with this play, as the publicity promises. The journalist David Holthouse walks into a spotlight to explain that 25 years after he was sexually assaulted as a boy – the ‘bogeyman’ has moved into his neighbourhood, giving him the long cherished opportunity to exact revenge.

The tight space of the Old Fitz works brilliantly for this intense drama. The assault took place in the basement of his home. The ladder reaching down into the square box room evokes a feeling of being trapped. 

What is it about The Creation that make choirs reprise it year after year? That makes audiences queue down the steps of the Sydney Town Hall on a cold autumn evening to get tickets? Is it the music? Is it the swell of a host of voices? Is it the mixture of the language of the bible and its phrasing set to music? Or is it all of this?

Could there be anyone who has not seen Monty Python and the Holy Grail? Possibly, but even if they haven’t, they will still enjoy Spamalot (my guest did)

The story is simple. King Arthur travels England to find knights to join him in his quest for the Holy Grail. His quest is hindered by many trials and tribulations.