Jakko Jakszyk - The Road To Ballina - 2022, Gilded Balloon at the Museum, Edinburgh Fringe, August 2022.

Jakko Jakszyk - The Road To Ballina - at the Edinburgh Fringe: Tickets.

Jakko Jakszyk website: Jakko Jakszyk.

The Road To Ballina is a dark, personal, emotional insight into one man's search for self-identity. Jakko Jakszyk presents his story, with recorded testament from mothers and adoptive father, spoken word storytelling from himself, complemented by a musical soundscape with Jakko playing flute and guitar live. Emotive graphics from Sam Chegini, shocking yet beautiful, complement the traumatic soundtrack. And take us on a geographical tour across Europe (London (England), France, Poland, Germany, and to the USA/America, and Ireland, as well as a journey through time as we travel back to the Second World War/WWII and beyond.

It is a painful experience, as Jakko bears his soul in his search for the truth in "who the hell I was?". Like King Crimson (the Progressive Rock band with whom Jakko Jakszyk has played since 2013), the show is dark but unforgettable in its art, power and impact. It's deeply moving. But there is resolution.

Ultimately, everyone experiencing this show will leave asking themselves "who the hell am I?".

With thanks to Jakko for sharing his story.

Directed by Michael Attenborough.

Animation: Sam Chegini.

Technical Production: Richard Turner.

Previews/Reviews

Jakko Jakszyk & Michael Attenborough: The Road To Ballina (Jakko Jakszyk & Director Michael Attenborough interview) for Black Diamond.

PREVIEW – Jakko Jakszyk – The Road to Ballina for Deadline News.

Fringe 2022 – The Road to Ballina for The Edinburgh Reporter.