On a morning in April 2016, Travis Alabanza, a Black, trans woman, faced a shocking incident while walking across Waterloo Bridge in central London. A man threw a hamburger at her and shouted a transphobic slur, leaving Alabanza feeling humiliated and afraid. In the presence of approximately 100 witnesses, no one intervened to support her. “I was 20 at the time,” she recalls. “I had been experiencing so much hate crime that this felt like just another incident.”
Alabanza’s response to this distressing experience became a catalyst for her creative journey. Two years later, her debut show, Burgerz, premiered in London before gaining success at the Edinburgh Fringe and embarking on an international tour. This one-person show, which combines personal reflections, audience engagement, and humor, won the Total Theatre Award at Edinburgh and received widespread acclaim.
From Trauma to Triumph
Alabanza’s work encapsulates the absurdity of her experience, alongside the troubling reality of societal apathy. “It was the absurdity of the burger that inspired me to create a show,” she explains. “What haunted me was how everyone just moved on as if nothing had happened.” The lack of support from bystanders fueled her desire to chronicle this experience, prompting her to create something that was not only powerful but also entertaining.
Her show, which opens this week at Carriageworks in Sydney as part of the Trans Theatre Festival, will later move to the Malthouse Theatre in Melbourne. Alabanza hopes to provoke a thoughtful response from her audience. “I want them to feel empowered to act when they see injustice,” she states. “Every day, trans people face risks simply by walking outside.”
Challenging Perceptions and Celebrating Authenticity
In a candid moment, Alabanza reflects on her attacker, noting how her initial anger has transformed. “I don’t think the person that threw the burger at me felt good,” she says. She recognizes that for many, the presence of trans individuals can evoke complex feelings, ranging from fear to curiosity. “Trans people trigger something in others, whether it’s desire or misplaced fear,” she adds.
Alabanza’s engaging personality shines through as she shares her experiences and perspectives. “I think humor is essential when addressing these issues,” she says. “I’m British, after all; we can only be earnest once a day.”
She emphasizes the importance of connection and understanding within her community. “We’re more alone than we should be,” Alabanza asserts. The ongoing discourse surrounding trans rights often overshadows the fundamental desire for safety and acceptance. “We want a real basic right to live and walk outside safely,” she states emphatically.
As Burgerz prepares to captivate audiences in Australia, Alabanza invites everyone to engage with her story. “By sharing my experiences, I hope to foster empathy and inspire action,” she concludes.
The show will run at Carriageworks from January 7 to 18 and at Malthouse Theatre from January 21 to 31, promising to be a thought-provoking and entertaining experience for all who attend.
