Far from home: A review of Alek Silber’s People what have you done?
People, what have you done is a written by Alek Silber and adapted by Kristof Kaczmarek. Presented as part of La Mama’s Festival of Mother Tongues from 18 - 20 November.
Language: Polish, with English Captions
Performed by Kristof Kaczmarek
Review by Natalia Czupryńska
Kristof Kaczmarek in People, what have you done? Presented as part of La Mama’s Festival of Mother Tongues 2024. Image by Darren Gill.
How it is that, even though future brings us opportunities, we still cry and miss for the past? Why does our attachment to people and things affect some of us profoundly? The play People, what have you done? written by Alek Silber and adapted by Kristof Kaczmarek, doesn’t provide answers, but it certainly makes you think about them.
This monodrama is an adaptation of Silber’s book, a journal gathering memories of a 16 years old Alek who emigrated to Australia in the 1960s. The 60-minute play, performed by Kaczmarek, was staged at La Mama Theatre HQ. It was part of the Festival of Mother Tongues, celebrating the diversity of languages spoken in Naarm, with community engagement supported by Multicultural Arts Victoria (MAV). The performance was entirely in Polish, accompanied by partial English captions. Visual elements were contributed by Darren Gill.
The play tells a story of Alek, a young boy compelled to leave his country and embark on a voyage across the ocean with his parents to start a new life far from home. Set against the backdrop of the 1960s, when the Iron Curtain in Europe began to crack, it depicts a time when many Europeans seek new opportunities abroad. The story follows Alek through his first year in Australia. Yet, these events are secondary to the emotional journey of the protagonist. His grief, rebellion, anger, sadness, and apathy form the true heart of the narrative.
On stage we see Kristof Kaczmarek, playing Alek, getting angry, melancholic, dreamy, and sad as he reflects on the experience of migration. His acting throughout the whole play is very deep and trustful. The monologue is often dramatic and intense but at the same very natural.
The minimalist stage design, comprising just a table, a diary, a pipe, a suitcase, and a bottle, combined with a spotlight on the actor creates an intimate, story-like atmosphere. It feels as if the audience is gathered in the living room, listening to a father telling them a story. This atmosphere breaks the barrier between audience and the actor. While a few pieces of music are present throughout, it’s the raw emotions that take the play’s central melody.
The story could belong to anyone who emigrated to Australia, leaving their country behind. For the Polish community, it offers a unique opportunity to gather, connect, and reminisce about their shared migration experiences. During the play, the audience can laugh from the same cultural observations, jokes, and anecdotes. In this way, Silber’s work serves both a story and a communal gathering, fostering unity and reflection.
People what have you done? is a moving and melancholic story with a gentle conclusion about leaving behind what we love most. It resonates every time when Alek express his sadness and longing for friends, and it hurts when we learn that his loved ones eventually stop writing, moving on with their loves while Alek himself cannot. The pain of his experience taps into universal fears of loss and isolation.
At the same time, for me People what have you done? is a lesson. It highlights how modern technology such as the Internet have transformed the experience of migration. Unlike Alek, today I can explore the world without losing the precious bonds I’ve built back home. The play reminds me how fortunate I am these days. It’s very comforting. It teaches me that I don’t necessary have to fear to lose anymore, and that far from home is where I never arrive these days.
This review is part of MAV’s initiative to foster culturally responsive theatre criticism, amplifying diverse voices and perspectives in the arts. By inviting writers, storytellers and artists to review the works of fellow creatives through the lens of shared lived, or cultural experiences, we aim to highlight the importance of theatre reviews that challenge dominant narratives and provide deeper, culturally grounded perspectives.
