Burgerz by Travis Alabanza
Last week I sat down at the CCA, after pining for many months due to missing it at Fringe, to finally see Travis Alabanza's Burgerz. Accusatory and frank, eloquent and visually captivating, this one person show puts our behaviour towards marginalised groups under a harsh, but honest, lens that says 'this is our fault, so what are we going to do now?'
Photo Credit: Holly Revell
Alabanza is a charming and funny presence on the stage, which makes the moments of recall for the injustices against them all the more shocking. The show stemmed from years of prejudice, but particularly the moment that a burger was thrown at Travis on Waterloo bridge. 'Lots of people saw, and I know no one did anything'. While only one member of the audience joins Travis on stage, the questions posed to them are opened up to everyone through the intelligent and cutting script. The perfect blend of poetry and prose, the discourse is scattered with comments on semiotics and the decisions we make as privileged individuals who adhere to the boxes society has provided for us. Burgers and hot dogs living in the buns that we think are correct. But what happens to those who dare to refuse?
As Travis flits between innuendos with the cis-white man on stage and fast pace monologues which turn a mirror back on our decisions as an audience, but within and out-with the theatre, the necessity of this show becomes increasingly apparent. It is a tragedy that this show has come from where it has, but it has been curated in a way that demands the need for change. Travis is an astonishing performer who delivers their words with intention and clout. I don't really do stars but if I did this would be five. Burgerz is an astounding performance that left me angry and aware of how much needs to be done in order to rectify the injustices we have allowed to go on for so long.
Alabanza is a charming and funny presence on the stage, which makes the moments of recall for the injustices against them all the more shocking. The show stemmed from years of prejudice, but particularly the moment that a burger was thrown at Travis on Waterloo bridge. 'Lots of people saw, and I know no one did anything'. While only one member of the audience joins Travis on stage, the questions posed to them are opened up to everyone through the intelligent and cutting script. The perfect blend of poetry and prose, the discourse is scattered with comments on semiotics and the decisions we make as privileged individuals who adhere to the boxes society has provided for us. Burgers and hot dogs living in the buns that we think are correct. But what happens to those who dare to refuse?
As Travis flits between innuendos with the cis-white man on stage and fast pace monologues which turn a mirror back on our decisions as an audience, but within and out-with the theatre, the necessity of this show becomes increasingly apparent. It is a tragedy that this show has come from where it has, but it has been curated in a way that demands the need for change. Travis is an astonishing performer who delivers their words with intention and clout. I don't really do stars but if I did this would be five. Burgerz is an astounding performance that left me angry and aware of how much needs to be done in order to rectify the injustices we have allowed to go on for so long.
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