The State of Grace

So probably one of my favourite shows I have seen so far. Michaela is an incredibly passionate and talented human. This show is shared via multiple media .. spoken word, music (SO talented) and some on the screen. Grace/Pip's story is told in a way that you would hope your friends would speak of you. As an audience member, and perhaps as someone who has the "us and them" mentality of sex workers, the humanity behind the job is brought forward. This is someone's child, and someone you could have known. She had relatable sides and it would be very easy to have been friends with Grace. She was someone with hopes, dreams and passions. Even if the subject matter isn't your first choice, the talent that is on stage makes this a must see. Beautifully done.

I first saw Michaela in her stunning Piaf biographical show. Now she’s back with a very different biography, that of Adelaide’s most famous sex worker, Grace Bellavue. The show itself couldn’t be more different, although given that Piaf was raised in a brothel and became an international chanteuse and Grace/Pippa was a sex worker who wanted to be a rap artist, one imagines these two ladies would have had a lot to talk about. Where Piaf was a narrative in word and song, this sees Michaela using looping, projection, video, lighting, props, soundtrack, costume, spoken word and song, with extracts from Twitter, Ted Talks and elsewhere, to create a dazzling portrait of Grace’s full-on world, both exhaustive and exhausting.

Michaela’s performance focuses on the upbeat, in your face Grace at the height of her formidable powers, constantly denying the pain and misery that seemingly got her in the end. Constructed from material directly from Grace given to Michaela by Grace’s mother, you know you are getting this all first hand.

Whilst constructing the soundtrack and doing all her wardrobe changes right in front of you, Michaela constructs a feeling of total intimacy and stripped-down (literally) honesty, but this dramatic choice also gives a sense of what one suspects Grace’s life must have actually been like: making it up as she went, non-stop party, constantly on a knife edge.

It’s an emotional journey more than anything, but Michaela clearly puts forth Grace’s position on the issues of sex workers, decriminalisation and her opposition to the Nordic model. One can only hope Grace/Pippa’s parents get some comfort from this striking memorial. It’s a great show with a dazzling performance from Michaela Burger. Go and see it.

This is the second show I see by Michaela, having first been amazed by her immense talent at last year’s fringe with A Migrant’s Son. This year she is taking it a step further with a very bold play that not many artists can put together. She delivers with the same effortless grace as she did on the bigger stage. The vocals during the songs are impressive with twists that need to be experienced live. Thank you for bringing this story to the fringe!

Michaela is the consummate professional. She has clearly dived headfirst into this fascinating story and paid respectful homage to a woman that many would judge, pass-by or rather not know. Michaela deftly jumps between scenarios and you are there with 'Grace' at every moment. I was extra pleased to see Michaela include vocals as if you've seen her previous Fringe Favourites - 'Migrant's Son' and 'Exposing Edith' - you'll know what an exquisite singing voice she has. Highly recommend.