Arts:Blog

Festival Review: Burgerz ****

Michael Cox reviews an important production with a 'witty, personable' performance.

Burgerz seems like a simple piece of agitprop theatre—at first. Travis Alabanza was walking across Waterloo Bridge a few years back when a passer-by threw a burger and shouted a transphobic slur. Travis wants to fully examine “the burger”, looking at every aspect of it in order to fully understand the assault that occurred.

While the making of a burger live on stage—with the help of an audience member—does take up the majority of the dramatic action, this rich production is about far more than that. Alabanza scrutinizes the politics behind gender and engages in dialogue about society and its viewpoints, wondering what a community can do to better support all of its members.

Alabanza makes for a fantastic performer: witty, personable and always armed with a cheeky comeback. Their script is also sharp and well-written—though off-the-cuff moments of banter proves to be the productions best and most honest moments.

Performs in repertory at the Traverse until August 25. Check the venue for specific times.