Hold The Pickle

Hold the Pickle is a good Australian yarn straight from the horses mouth. From Rachel Berger’s parents living in occupied Poland in World War Two, to Berger’s own struggle with becoming an Australian this is a story that celebrates the cultural diversity of where we call home.

 Presented By: Bold Jack Pty LtdVenue: Fairfax Studio, The Arts Centre Wednesday, 21 September, 2011
Hold the Pickle is a good Australian yarn straight from the horses mouth. From Rachel Berger’s parents living in occupied Poland in World War Two, to Berger’s own struggle with becoming an Australian this is a story that celebrates the cultural diversity of where we call home.
I honestly expected something very different and dirty from the title and the groping font on the poster. I was pleasantly surprised to realise it was misleading and I was in for a dramatic and endearing journey with a healthy dose of one liners. I laughed and cried. The descriptions of Sundays on Acland St in her youth and her first visit to the Princess Theatre provoked in me a patriotism towards our Melbourne. 
During this one woman show Berger moved between colourful characters. She warmed into her piece and though some of the transitions between characters – especially early on- were physically clunky and impeded the pace, all was forgiven and far surpassed by a tale worth the telling.
To quote Berger (referring to her parents) “nothing was sacred”, and so it was for Berger’s narrative. From the depths of despair came the heights of hilarity. They say that truth is stranger than fiction and Berger certainly proved this when we were confronted with the image of her “Salami Barbie” called Magda.
Hold the Pickle is a charming Jewish Australian memoir full of humanity, warmth and humour and deserved it’s standing ovation Wednesday night. I admire her for sharing it and I hope you can share in it too. It is a Bold Jack production in the Fairfax Studio in The Arts Centre Southbank and you have till this Saturday the 24th to see it.  Tickets are $55- $40 with group options available you can book online at The Arts Centre website or call them on 1300 182 183. Until 24 September, 2011