3 ON 3 - APEIRON BAROQUE (CONCERT)

3 On 3 – Apeiron Baroque

John Ma (violin), Marie Searles (harpsichord),

Guest artists: Jared Adams (violin), Isaiah Bondfield (violin), Anton Baba (cello/gamba) and George Wills (theorbo/guitar)

Wesley Uniting Church, Forrest, March 22

 

Reviewed by Len Power

 

Apeiron Baroque can always be relied upon to provide something different in their concerts and this one was no exception. With three violinists and a continuo section of three more players, this ensemble certainly made beautiful music together.

John Ma (violin) and Marie Searles (harpsichord) were joined by guest artists Jared Adams (violin), Isaiah Bondfield (violin), Anton Baba (cello/gamba) and George Wills (theorbo/guitar). All artists had a formidable list of credits nationally and internationally.

From left: John Ma (violin), Jared Adams (violin), Isaiah Bondfield (violin), Marie Searles (harpsichord), Anton Baba (cello/gamba) and George Wills (theorbo)

Another of the delights of an Apeiron Baroque concert is to hear the music of less familiar composers. In this case, they played short works by eleven composers from the Baroque period including Vierdanck, Krieger, Roncalli, Balbestre, Finger, d’Hervelois, Schmeltzer and Dornel as well as the more well-known Telemann and Pachelbel.

They commenced with all six artists playing the lively Capriccio No. 26 by Johann Vierdanck. The melodic Sonata No. 5 by Johann Krieger was next with John Ma the solo violinist with the continuo. George Wills on guitar played a beautifully reflective Preludio and Passacaglia by Ludovico Roncalli and Marie Searles, harpsichord, played another quietly reflective work by Claude Balbestre.

The concert continued with a variety of works that each demonstrated the richness of the music from this period. Each member of the ensemble was featured in certain works. Highlights included a jaunty gavotte by Telemann, which the ensemble clearly enjoyed playing, as well as exquisite works by Marais, Schmeltzer and Dornel.

Violinists John Ma, Jared Adams and Isaiah Bondfield

John Ma provided lively and often amusing anecdotes about many of the composers. Claude Balbestre, for example, was one of the most famous organists of his time. His fame was so great that he was eventually forbidden to play as the churches were always too crowded when he performed.

The full ensemble concluded this excellent concert with a fine performance of Johann Pachelbel’s possibly now too well-known Canon. Ma explained, humorously, that in the life of every Baroque ensemble there comes a time when it’s inevitable that this work be played.

Photos by Peter Hislop

This review was first published by Canberra CityNews digital edition on 23 March 2026.

Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs.

  

ALMOST, MAINE (PLAY)

Written by John Cariani

Directed by Zac Bridgman

Mockingbird Theatrics production

Belconnen Arts Centre to 28 March

 

Reviewed by Len Power 18 March 2026

 

In the play, Almost, Maine, identification is easy with the emotions of a group of young people quietly getting on with the business of love. Declarations of love are made at the wrong times, peoples’ jumbled emotions suddenly work in their favour and others experience lasting hurt. The small, almost town of Almost, Maine - we’ve been there or we’re going there.

John Cariani’s American play, first produced in Maine in 2004, explores love and loss in 9 short stories happening at the same time in a mythical town in northern Maine in the depths of a cold winter. The emotional journeys in the situations presented are universal.

Alexander Wilson and Wendy Wakwella

At the beginning of the play, a warmly dressed young couple are together on a park bench in a wintry and icy outdoor set under the stars. The setting, designed by Chris Baldock, is so effective, I began to wish I’d brought a jumper with me.

Alastair McKenzie & Wendy Wakwella

The cast of four, Alexander Wilson, Wendy Wakwella, Jayde Dowhy and Alastair McKenzie each play multiple personalities in these short stories. Their performances are very effective as each character they portray has to be established quickly. They handle overlapping dialogue skilfully, giving their characters an emotional honesty. They display fine comic timing and an exceptional ability to play non-verbal moments that are charged with meaning.

Alexander Wilson & Jayde Dowhy

Director, Zac Bridgman, has guided his cast through the various stories with great skill. He ensures the characterizations are well-balanced emotionally, and each story is visually effective and naturally paced.

The lighting and sound designs by Rhiley Winnett and Zac Bridgman are particularly atmospheric.

This play is a charmer. It’s both funny and painful but each of the characters are recognizable people, maybe even ourselves.

 

Photos by Chris Baldock and Zac Bridgman

Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs.

  

THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (MUSICAL)

 

Book by Rachel Sheinkin

Music and Lyrics by William Finn

Conceived by Rebecca Feldman

Directed by Nathan Patrech

Canberra Philharmonic Society (Philo) production

Act Hub Theatre, Kingston to 18 March

 

 

Reviewed by Len Power 12 March 2026

 

Using the ACTHub Theatre for this smaller scale musical was a clever move by Philo. The 100 year old Causeway Hall at Kingston provided the perfect atmosphere for the plot of the show.

A bunch of quirky students from various American elementary schools come together at Putnam County school to compete in a spelling competition (the ‘Bee’), which is run by three equally quirky adults.

The show might be quirky, but it needs a strong cast who can bring these colourful characters to life as well as handle the vocally demanding score. Everyone in this cast is more than up to the challenge and make the most of their individual moments to shine.

The ensemble performances of Amelia Andesson-Nickson, Dave Collins, Meaghan Stewart, Joe Mansell, Ella Colquhoun, Sterling Notley, Hannah Miller and Lachlan Nicholls as the students were excellent.

Director, Nathan Patrech, has staged the show simply. He allows the actors to have a lot of fun as adults playing adolescents, but the show is disciplined and fast-paced.

Of the adult characters running the Bee, Amy Kowalczuk is outstanding as Rona Peretti. It was good to hear this accomplished actress singing in a musical again. Tim Stiles gave a fine performance as the strong, but sensitive ex-convict and now Comfort Councillor, Mitch Mahony. Michael Cooper was very funny as Douglas Panch, the Vice Principal, with his officious and edgy performance as the word pronouncer.

Music director, Samara Marinelli, has obtained fine vocal performances from everyone in the cast. Lachlan Ruffy provided strong choreography that suited the individual characters. Jennie Norbury’s costumes looked very funny and somehow were worn just right by the students. The adults’ costumes were well chosen for a school function.

This is a funny, very noisy show with memorable characters. Before the show, audience members are given the opportunity to put their names down to participate onstage in the spelling competition. The three people selected on opening night clearly had a lot of fun and were pretty good spellers, too.

 

Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs.