Music / M’ap Boule, by Nancy Denis, directed by Anthea Williams. At The Q. Queanbeyan, until August 9. Reviewed by ALANNA MACLEAN.

M’ap Boule looks at first like a small touring show although the huge moon hanging at the back and the atmospheric draped stage with many candles hints at  bigger things.

Which soon emerge. Performer and writer Nancy Denis outlines a story of migration from Haiti for one generation, with the trials of growing up in Sydney for the next. Inner Sydney is a wild ride; the cultural mix is huge and there she is, looking for identity amid it all.

Her father gives her the deep notes of Haiti and the story of the fight for freedom there. She finds her own way into the Sydney of many cultures.

There’s a descent into mental chaos and a climb to power and understanding of identity that enables her to stand strong. There’s a persistent understanding of the history of this country and First Nations peoples.

It’s part singing, part narrative, with a fair amount of great costuming, a set that can become very atmospheric and a little audience participation.

As the piece deepens so does Denis’ powerful dark singing voice.

She  is gently aided and abetted by supporting singing by Kween G, cultural leader and hip hop artist Mick Stuart steady on drums and Victoria Falconer, fluent on just about every instrument to hand, including violin and keyboard. There’s a real sense of an artistic  team here.

In Haitian Creole M’ap Boule means “I’m on fire”. By the end of this show there’s been a meaningful sharing of that fire.