Taxithi – An Australian Odyssey – theatre review

An intelligent, insightful and emotion-charged work from Melbourne writer and performer Helen Yotis Patterson awaits those who venture to see this world premiere production. Inspired by untold true stories of love, sacrifice and courage, Taxithi opens the door to the Greek migrant experience to Australia in the 1950s and ‘60s.

Ten tales are delivered by three women in the form of poignant memories of the journeys they took, accompanied by heartfelt and frequently haunting music from their homeland. Many of the stories are heartbreaking – all of them moving. What shines through in most instances is the strength of these women in overcoming significant obstacles. It puts into perspective just what it takes to leave home and travel halfway around the globe in search of a new life and what it is like to leave parents and loved ones behind. Almost invariably there is a sense of yearning and loss before somehow forging a path on foreign soil.

The performers – Yotis Patterson (SBS’s RocKwiz), Artemis Ioannides (ABC’s A Beautiful Lie) and Maria Mercedes (Sunset Boulevard) – are complimented by a pianist and an acoustic bouzouki player. The only props are three old suitcases and three simple, wooden chairs. The backdrop is five large swathes of all-but floor-to-ceiling, light-coloured fabric onto which are projected images from the home country and the English translation of the Greek words sung. It works a treat. Director Petra Kalive has done a fine job. The power is in both the vision and its execution.

Yotis Patterson has a big, big voice. She is a force of nature, while Mercedes is all class – polished and resilient. Ioannides presents the voice of youth, full of expectation and hope, often harshly treated. The musical arrangement by Andrew Patterson, who is also the pianist, is an undoubted feature and I was a big fan of bouzouki soloist Jacob Papadopoulos.

I entered fortyfivedownstairs not knowing what to expect but came out 80 minutes later richer for the experience, which was substantive.

For Yotis Patterson, bringing Taxithi to the stage has been a deeply personal experience that has enabled her to find the core of her Greek identity. She talks about the children of migrants carrying “an old pain that is rarely expressed or even acknowledged”. While this is part of Yotis Patterson’s heritage, it is also an important component of the history of many Australians of myriad nationalities. These are stories that need to be told.

Strong and affecting, Taxithi is on at fortyfivedownstairs (45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne) until March 20th. Buy a ticket now.

Alex First