On the back of the success of three sold-out shows at the Melbourne Museum, Simon Reich is bringing his show Bonegilla: The Migrant’s Journey to his home locality of Melton as a part of the Melton Heritage Festival.
Bonegilla: The Migrant’s Journey is a 1.5 hour multimedia performance about the journey of World War II migrants through the Bonegilla Migrant Camp outside Wodonga that features first hand interviews, migrant’s own photographs and videos, sound design, a string quartet by members of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and live grand piano live music.
Mr Reich’s was inspired to write the piece by his father, who was one of 500,000 people who passed through the camp.
Mr Reich said the run of his show in the city was a total success, with about 600 people coming to see it.
“Seeing the show finally come to life after four years of preparation, interviewing, video editing and composing the musical soundtrack, was truly a marvellous experience,” he said.
“I remember sharing my vision with my wife of having two screens, immersive sound design and a live musical soundtrack and she remarked that she didn’t understand what I meant… When she saw the show for the first time at the Melbourne Museum, she told me that was exactly what I had shared with her four years earlier.
“But the thing I remember the most, was the tears, laughter and crowd response to the material within the show.”
Now, Mr Reich is excited for the show to be performerd for free on Saturday, April 20.
“It’s a thrill to bring this to Melton, as I have had a lot of local support for this project,” he said.
Details: libraryevents.melton.vic.gov.au/event?id=59848
