THE JUNGLE AND THE SEA (PLAY)

Written and directed by Shakthidharan and

Eamon Flack

A Belvoir St Theatre Production

Co-Produced with Kurinji and Lingalayam Dance Company

The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre to 9 August

 

Reviewed by Len Power 7 August.

 

We’re so used to seeing images of war nightly on the TV news that we easily become de-sensitized. The Jungle and the Sea brings home the human impact and horror of war in a way that is impossible to ignore.

Focussing on one family’s epic journey to survive Sri Lanka’s decades-long civil war, a woman, Gowrie, takes a vow of defiance. She blindfolds herself and refuses to see the world again until her loved ones are reunited. As the war progresses, the family try to retain their dignity and safety amid the devastation around them.

This deeply human work is grand in scale and honours those people who endured unimaginable loss. Love and pride in family shines through despite horrific events that occur.

 The epic production plays out over three acts. A starkly simple setting makes effective use of a constantly turning revolve and the onstage musicians Hari Sivanesan and Aswin Selvanathan provide a constant and atmospheric underscore to the action with Carnatic music.

Anandavalli

Bharathanatyam dancer, Anandavalli, leads the ensemble cast of Prakash Belawadi, Emma Harvie, Nadie Kammallaweera, Shiv Palekar, Dushan Philips, Kalieaswari Srinivasan and Rajan Velu. Several play multiple roles and all give heart-felt and moving performances, making these people and their culture come vividly alive.

Cast members of The Jungle and the Sea

The directors and writers, Shakthidharan and Eamon Flack, have produced a highly imaginative and very busy production that is built out of real-life testimonies from the war. It clarifies the issues of this war while keeping the focus on the impact on the family.

Our attention is so cleverly invested in the events this family experiences that this long play seems much shorter than it is. The final scene is intensely moving and memorably demonstrates the power of love and family.

Photos by Brett Boardman

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

  

DIVINE BOHEMIANS (CONCERT)

 

Australian Haydn Ensemble

Gandel Hall, National Gallery of Australia July 30

 

Reviewed by Len Power

 

Bohemian composer, Josef Mysliveček, so out-Italianed the Italians that they dubbed him il divino boemo – the divine Bohemian.

This concert showcased music by the relatively unknown Bohemian composers Mysliveček, and Paul Wranitzky as well as works by Beethoven and Haydn. A composer of note, Wranitsky was also a respected conductor in Vienna and premiered Beethoven’s 1^st Symphony. Mysliveček was a close friend and mentor of the young Mozart.

The Beethoven and Haydn works were both commissioned by the Bohemian arts patron, Prince Lobkowitz.

The Australian Haydn Ensemble of Skye McIntosh, artistic director and violin, Matthew Greco, violin, Rafael Font, viola, and Daniel Yeadon, cello, commenced with Haydn’s String Quartet Op. 77 No. 1 in G. Written late in life, this work, full of Haydn’s wit and unpredictability, was given a charming performance.

Skye McIntosh, Matthew Greco, violin, Rafael Font, viola, and Daniel Yeadon, cello.

The second movement, Adagio, is deeply expressive and emotional and the hint of the Hungarian countryside in the finale was a nice surprise. The ensemble played it with a freshness and sparkle that was delightful. They clearly enjoyed playing it.

The second work presented was Wranitzky’s String Quartet Op. 49 in D minor. The dramatic first movement led to an unusual Largo, played with mutes to create a dreamlike, misty sound. So sensitively played, it was one of the highlights of this concert.

Artistic Director Skye McIntosh, violin

The second half of the concert commenced with just the second movement, Larghetto, of Mysliveček’s String Quartet Op. 3 No. 6. This short, slow movement with its wistful melodies left you wanting to hear more of this composer’s works.

Finally, the ensemble played Beethoven’s String Quartet Op.18 No. 3 in D. This early work showed Beethoven’s maturing talent with its lyrical first movement leading to a pounding climax. The Andante second movement with the second violin prominent was nicely reflective and the playful finale was exciting and an uplifting end to this very enjoyable concert.

 

Photos by Peter Hislop

 

This review was first published by Canberra CityNews digital edition on 31 July 2026.

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

Len Power also presents the weekly Concert Hall program on Artsound FM, playing recordings of some of the best concerts from in and around Canberra. Concert Hall can be heard on Sundays at 8pm and is repeated on Wednesdays at 2pm.

 

GUERRIERI ET AMOROSI (CONCERT)

 

Oriana Chorale and Apeiron Baroque

Directed by Dan Walker

Wesley Uniting Church, Forrest July 26

 

Reviewed by Len Power

 

Passion and warfare were the focus of this concert through the works of two 17^th Century composers, Claudio Monteverdi and Barbara Strozzi.

Monteverdi, of course, is very well-known compared to Strozzi, but she was the most prolific composer of printed secular vocal music in 17^th century Venice. That was an extraordinary achievement for a woman in that era.

Dan Walker conducting the Oriana Chorale and Apeiron Baroque

The Monteverdi works played and sung were from his Eighth Book of Madrigals published in 1638 when he was 70. The selection of Strozzi’s works was from her First Book of Madrigals, Opus 1, published when she was just 25.

Joined by early music specialists, Apeiron Baroque, the Oriana Chorale directed by Dan Walker presented a concert that captured the emotional range of the human condition of the time.

The concert began with the Monteverdi’s Let others sing of Cupid. This exciting work with its fiery passion and talk of war was followed by Strozzi’s The Nightingale, a sensitive work with a theme of underlying anger and hurt.

With titles such as Harmful silence, Prayer to Love and The Quarrel of the five senses (Strozzi) and I’m on fire, ablaze, Now that heaven and earth and Let others sing of Mars (Monteverdi), it was an exciting concert full of emotion and drama.

The choir gave each work a highly polished and pleasing performance. There were solo moments in the works that showcased the considerable skill of individual choir members.

Apeiron Baroque, led by John Ma, violin, provided a fine accompaniment for the choir and also played two instrumental works by Vitali and Scarlatti.

The concert provided a time-travelling opportunity to experience composers’ views of passion and warfare at a time of extraordinary music making.

 

Photos by Dalice Trost

 

This review was first published by Canberra CityNews digital edition on 28 July 2026.

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

Len Power also presents the weekly Concert Hall program on Artsound FM, playing recordings of some of the best concerts from in and around Canberra. Concert Hall can be heard on Sundays at 8pm and is repeated on Wednesdays at 2pm.