MORE REVIEWS
“Driftwood is an uplifting story of immigration, adversity, and the need for roots. This is a production that’s compelling for the charm of its drama and relationships and its thoughtful dramatisation of a particular period in time. Second generation survivor literature is a powerful movement within Holocaust remembrance and the combined memoir musical tells an important story in a stylish way.”
ArtsHub
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“Driftwood The Musical is a true story that adds a more human layer to the atrocities committed in Europe during World War II, and with the current world climate leading where it is, it’s crucial that stories like this are told. Driftwood is incredibly moving and is a musical that I’m so honoured to have witnessed.”
Lilithia Reviews (2023)
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“Driftwood The Musical is a heart-wrenching and inspiring piece of musical theatre, reflecting a dark period of history that changed and destroyed the lives of millions. The way Driftwood has been written and sung, we get to really care about the individuals involved. I had tears running down my cheeks.”
Alex First, J-Wire.
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“Beautifully presented …This was a resonant, poignant production, illuminating how creative pursuits can play such an important part in our lives and are akin to spiritual experiences.”
David Kary, Sydney Arts Guide
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“Splendid performance! Driftwood is an incredible story of family love triumphing over appalling wickedness. Tania de Jong plays superbly the role of her grandmother Slawa. Anton Berezin is wonderful as Tania’s grandfather Karl Duldig. In the pivotal role as narrator and observer Eva, New Zealander Bridget Costello is admirably flawless. To the role of Slawa’s fiercely loyal sister, Rella, Michaela Burger brings passion and perfection. Nelson Gardner is a versatile rare performer who achieves excellence in each of his many roles.”
Michael Darby, Stop Human Sacrifice.
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“Joy and sadness in home-grown Holocaust musical. There’s a poignant rendition of the Hebrew prayer Avinu Malkeinu as well as the joyous Yiddish wedding song, Siman Tov, to celebrate Karl and Slawa’s wedding.The three-member band comprising musical director Barnhill, violinist Roy Theaker and cellist Kalina Krusteva play from one side of the compact stage, adding to the intimate atmosphere. The small cast features seasoned performers with fine voices led by Berezin and Tania de Jong. Despite the many dark aspects to the musical, created by Umbrella Productions, there are uplifting moments of joy as the family builds a new life in Melbourne.”
Danny Gocs, Australian Jewish News (2023).
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“Driftwood The Musical tells the true, heroic, and inspirational story of the renowned Austrian/Australian sculptor/sportsman Karl Duldig and his artist/inventor wife, Slawa Horowitz-Duldig, and their Eva de Jong-Duldig and follows their journey from living in Austria to the lead up to the Second World War, narrowly escaping the horrors of the Holocaust and starting a new life in Melbourne Australia. Driftwood was a deeply moving, emotional, and highly vivid story that deserves greater exposure and is relatable to anyone whose grandparents had lived during or fled the war. Its cast, which also included Eva’s daughter Tania de Jong, who portrayed Slawa, was brilliant in bringing the story to life through song, dance, drama, and the occasional comic relief bit. Their performance was complemented by the intimate musical ensemble.”
Melbourne My Style.
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“Driftwood The Musical is indeed inspirational! A very heartfelt and touching story with great music and superb acting and vocals. For me Driftwood is a story of struggle, love, resilience, loyalty, devotion and freedom. It teaches us how to follow our hearts and to stay true to ourselves. A breathtaking story that takes place in pre-war Vienna shows us the sense of identity that Jewish people are so proud of. It delivers a very powerful message that, even when forced to be kept in the dark, the family still held onto their faith , always believing that sooner or later the light would burn bright again.”
Diana Kost, J Air Radio Forum 88 FM
“It is a rare thing to see a performer playing their own forebear in a musical. In this charming, emotional and lyrical journey from Austria to Australia, Tania de Jong plays her own grandmother, the artist Slawa Horowitz Duldig, who also happens to have been the inventor of the compact folding umbrella. In 1928 while she was an Austrian art student she created her umbrella, patented it and was soon earning good money from the patent. She later married fellow artist Karl Duldig and at any other time in history they might have expected to live happily ever after. However, the Nazis took over Austria in 1938 the couple, now parents, had to make a drastic decision. Slawa, Karl and their daughter Eva fled Europe, eventually ending up as internees and later citizens in Australia. This musical retells Slawa’s story through the eyes of Karl and their daughter Eva, it is an emotional journey from 1950s Melbourne back to 1920s and 1930s Austria, then following the Duldig family through to Slawa’s passing in the 1970s. There are some haunting melodies and songs played by a wonderful three piece orchestra and carried by the superb vocals of the five member cast, who vividly bring to life these real-life characters, particularly de Jong, channeling her own grandmother. The relatively simple staging is effectively used to depict a range of locations and replicas of furniture designed by Slawa play their own memorable role. This is an unforgettable experience, intimate, moving and a fascinating tale of a family carried like Driftwood on the currents of history.”
Troy Lennon, Journalist/Writer Daily Telegraph and freelance (Driftwood the Musical – Riverside Theatres, Parramatta – Review 2023)
“Indeed, the theme of artistic pursuit and its importance in life is the beating heart of the play. As Eva says at the musical’s conclusion: Art moves and inspires us, it gives us hope, it gives us meaning.”
Mindfood
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“I laughed, I cried and most importantly, I felt the strength of this family’s love for each other. Sara Reed is wonderful in her role as daughter Eva and her storyteller skills are perfect as the narrator. Michaela Burger portrays Slawa’s sister Rella masterfully and is accompanied by a fantastic Troy Sussman as her husband Marcel. Sussman also plays several other characters and portrays them so perfectly, I could swear they were different people. Then there are the two powerhouse vocal performances by Tania de Jong AM and Anton Berezin as Slawa and Karl, respectively. Both performers have a background in opera, and it shines every time they sing. There is a lot to love about this production and I do not think I can fault it. I am always captivated by theatre that is based on true stories and history, and Driftwood is certainly one of them.”
Lilithia Reviews. (2022)
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“A home-grown Holocaust musical is a rarity on the Melbourne stage, so full credit to singer Tania de Jong for creating Driftwood The Musical, based on her mother Eva de Jong-Duldig’s 2017 memoir, Driftwood: Escape and Survival Through Art. There’s no shortage of drama, heartache and lucky escapes as the story is told in flashback form by narrator Eva (played by Sara Reed) as she sifts through letters, photos and memorabilia belonging to her parents, sculptor Karl Duldig (Anton Berezin) and artist Slawa Horowitz-Duldig (Tania de Jong).”
Danny Gocs, Australian Jewish News (2022).
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“Congratulations – it was wonderful! As a first generation Australian and a grandson of Jewish Hungarian migrants there was so much of your family’s story that resonated with me on a deeply personal level. Thank you for bringing such an important story like this to the stage.”
Andrew Gyopar Presents
“Such a beautiful performance tonight! Each cast member was perfectly cast & equally stunning in both acting & singing. The trio of musicians on stage added another dimension. Don’t miss Driftwood – a standing ovation! Bring tissues!”
Jonathan Cox
“This is a superb show and a must-see production.”
Geoff Stanwell, Radio 99.3 Northshore FM
“Driftwood The Musical – a must see in Sydney!”
The Holiday and Travel Magazine
