Stars: Naomi Watts
Australia
2021
Seen on Foxtel
A family takes in an injured Magpie that makes a profound difference in their lives.
True story is quietly well told. Family interactions are very natural with good performances from everyone, especially Naomi Watts. Obvious sentimentality usually expected in this kind of story has been avoided. The magpie actor(s) is a charmer and the interaction of the bird with the family is cleverly done.
Conducted by Louis
Sharpe
Chorus Master, Dan
Walker
Llewellyn Hall, 28
August
Reviewed by Len Power
When presenting an Opera Gala, you need to come up with a
pretty special program. Canberra’s
National Opera did exactly that, with the National Capital Orchestra, the
National Capital Chorus and three very fine sopranos delighting the audience
with one great opera tune after another.
It was introduced by the company’s Artistic Director, Peter Coleman-Wright, who promised an evening of well-known opera favourites as well as some opera works that deserved to be better known. He also set the scene for each of the items as the concert progressed.
The opening item was the Overture from Mozart’s “Die Entführung aus dem Serail” (The Abduction From The Seraglio). The orchestra gave it a brisk and tight performance under the baton of Louis Sharpe.
It was followed by the first of several choruses sung by the National Capital Chorus directed by Dan Walker. Their first item was The Bell Chorus from “Pagliacci” by Leoncavallo. Accompanied by the orchestra, it was a rousing but controlled and pleasing performance of this popular work.
 |
| Opera Gala full company |
Featured artist, soprano Eleanor Greenwood, then took the stage with a commanding performance of "Dich, teure Halle, grüss ich wieder" (Dear hall, I greet thee once again) from Wagner’s “Tannhäuser”.
A graduate of the ANU School of Music, Greenwood has gone on to a busy national and international career. Her dramatic sensibility and fine singing of the Wagner aria and other items in the program demonstrated that she is a singer to watch in the future.
 |
| Louis Sharpe, conductor and Eleanor Greenwood, soprano |
Several other famous opera choruses were performed including The Bridal Chorus from Wagner’s “Lohengrin”, The Humming Chorus from “Madama Butterfly” and the electrifying Anvil Chorus from Verdi’s “Il Trovatore”. The chorus singers gave them all fine performances.
Eleanor Greenwood also gave superb performances of “Pace, Pace mio Dio” (Peace, O mighty Father, give me peace) from Verdi’s “The Force Of Destiny” and “Regina Coeli” (Queen of Heaven) from Cavalleria Rusticana by Mascagni.
 |
| Hannah Carter, Eleanor Greenwood, Emma Mauch |
This was a well-chosen program of opera favourites. The fine performances of the singers and orchestra clearly delighted the audience. It was indeed a gala evening.
This review was first
published in the Canberra CityNews digital edition of 29 August 2022.
Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs.
Written and directed
by Conor McPherson
Music and lyrics by
Bob Dylan
Canberra Theatre to 3
September
Reviewed by Len Power 26 August 2022
What is extraordinary about “Girl From The North Country” is that the songs’ composer, Bob Dylan, gave free access to his entire song catalogue without restrictions to the producers to develop the musical.
Bob Dylan has sold more than 125 million records since the 1960s. His songs include some of the most popular songs of all time. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2016 for “having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition”.
The musical first opened in London in 2017 and ultimately played a total of 175 performances on Broadway, closing in 2022.
Set in a rundown guesthouse in the winter of 1934 in Duluth, Minnesota during the Depression, the story focusses on the lives of a number of people who are thrown together at a moment in time in that location. Writer/director, Conor McPherson, has used Dylan’s songs to create atmosphere and illustrate the thoughts and emotions of the characters in the story.
Rae Smith’s scenic design of highly detailed moving panels that glide in and out and up and down as well as a subtle use of projections nicely creates the mood of the time and location. The complex lighting design by Mark Henderson adds another atmospheric dimension to the show.
 |
| James Smith |
The vocal work in this production is superb. Harmony singing by various ensemble members is especially fine. There is outstanding acting and singing by Lisa McCune, Peter Carroll, Helen Dallimore, Chemon Theys, James Smith, Elijah Williams and others. In fact the whole cast should be mentioned individually for their excellent singing and acting.
 |
| Lisa McCune |
There are a large number of characters in complex relationships and the cast talk fast in unfamiliar Minnesota accents. You have to listen carefully to keep up with the intricacies of the storylines.
The band, led by Andrew Ross, plays the score very well. Some cast members also play instruments in the show.
The overall star of this show is Simon Hale who produced the excellent orchestrations and arrangements of Bob Dylan’s music. Taking Bob Dylan’s songs and arranging them in theatrical terms would have been a daunting task. It’s not surprising that Hale won the only Tony Award that the show received for “Best Orchestrations”.
Photos by Daniel Boud
This review was first
published in the Canberra CityNews digital edition of 27 August 2022.
Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs.
“The Broadway Musicals Yearbook” will be heard on Artsound FM 92.7 at 5pm on Sunday 28 August and repeated at 11pm on Monday 29 August. The show is produced and narrated by Len Power, Canberra theatre critic, music critic and radio presenter.
Listen Now: https://artsound.fm/shows/the-broadway-musicals-yearbook/
Stars: Frank Rogowski, Georg Friedrich
Germany
2021
Seen on SBS World Movies
In post-war Germany, liberation by the Allies does not mean freedom for everyone. Hans is repeatedly imprisoned under Paragraph 175, which criminalizes homosexuality. Over the decades, he develops an unlikely bond with his cellmate Viktor.
Harrowing, violent account of prison life from 1945 to 1969 for a man whose only crime was being homosexual. Very well made with strong performances. Recommended, if you can take it.
Sweden
1951
Seen on Blu-Ray from the Criterion Collection box set 'Ingmar Bergman's Cinema'
A lonely and ageing ballerina recalls her first love thirteen years prior during a brief summer vacation.
Fine flashback drama is one of Ingmar Bergman's early films. It's a fascinating study of young love with very real performances. Maj-Britt Nilsson is luminous. Highly recommended.
Stars: Ryan Goslin, Claire Foy
USA
2018
Seen On Foxtel
A look at the life of the astronaut, Neil Armstrong, and the legendary space mission that led him to become the first man to walk on the Moon on July 20, 1969.
Absorbing account of astronaut, Neil Armstrong's experience of becoming the first man on the moon. The fine screenplay makes Armstrong's quiet, reticent personality a plus in this long movie. Good work by Ryan Gosling as Armstrong and Claire Foy as his wife. The special effects are terrific. Recommended.
 |
| Kathy Selby |
Sophie Rowell violin
Timo-Veikko Valve
cello
Llewellyn Hall 22
August
Reviewed by Len Power
Wartime conflict and how it impacted on three composers was the theme for the Selby & Friends concert, “In the Shadow of War”. Artistic director and pianist, Kathy Selby, was joined by Sophie Rowell on violin and Timo-Veikko Valve on cello to play three works by Australia’s Matthew Hindson, Russia’s Dimitri Shostakovich and Austria’s Franz Schubert.
Matthew Hindson’s work, “1915”, composed in 2015, was motivated by the thought of how a young person living 100 years before might face the prospect of going to war. There has long been an impression that young Australian men in that era were keen to enlist for what seemed likely to be the patriotic and glorious adventure of a lifetime.
Hindson’s composition avoids any of the jingoism and focusses instead on the more personal thoughts of a soldier leaving behind his loved ones and the comforts of home and facing the unknown. It’s a quietly powerful, melancholy and reflective work of great beauty. The trio of musicians gave it a performance of great sensitivity.
 |
| Timo-Veikko Valve |
From its haunting opening passage on the cello, the work is constantly changeable, creating a mood of emotional highs and lows. Almost alarming frenzied passages give way to sombre and quietly reflective moments, leading to the “Dance Of Death” final movement with its Jewish-style melody. This challenging work was superbly played by the trio, bringing out all of the powerful emotion in the music.
 |
| Sophie Rowell |
Franz Schubert’s Piano Trio in E-flat Major, Op.100, was one of the last compositions completed by Schubert in 1827. The delicate main theme of the second movement, based on a Swedish folk song, is instantly recognized from its use in many movies, including Kubrick’s “Barry Lyndon”. In their playing, the trio brought out all of the sensitivity and beauty underlying this great work.
An introduction to the works by each of the performers is always a feature of a Selby & Friends concert. It adds a welcome dimension to the works and creates a personal engagement between audience and performer.
This review was first published in the Canberra CityNews digital edition of 23 August 2022.
Stars: Leslie Phillips, Julie Christie
UK
1962
Seen on GEM TV
Forsdyke, a pathological petty thief subjects himself to a strict correction course run by a wealthy ex-con Widdowes and his Crooks Anonymous organization.
Very amusing comedy with the great Leslie Phillips and a band of British comedians who are so good at this type of farce. Clever script and fast-paced direction keep it interesting all the way. Notable for one of Julie Christie's first major screen roles. You can see her star quality even in this light, undemanding role.
Flautist: Sally
Walker
Belco Arts Centre August
20
Drill Hall Gallery,
ANU August 25
Reviewed Belco Arts Centre by Len Power
20 August 2022
The Oriana Chorale’s new concert, “Two Worlds” is inspired
by the words of Alice Eather, an Aboriginal Australian poet, environmental
campaigner and teacher from Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory.
In her poem “Yúya Karrabúra” (Fire Is Burning), she refers to her dual heritage of First Nation peoples and Europeans as the two worlds she walks between, saying, “I’m living and breathing this story of black and white”.
Chorale Director, Dan Walker, created a choral work from Eather’s poem and it was one of the works presented in this unique concert in the Gallery at the Belco Arts Centre.
 |
| Dan Walker |
Other works presented were by composers Michael Atherton, Gordon Hamilton (with William Barton), Peter Sculthorpe, Ross Edwards and Stephen Leek.
A new work, “Clock”, by Christopher Sainsbury and Darryl Griffen, a modern response to climate change, was commissioned by the Oriana Chorale and given its world premiere in this concert. It was a beautiful, thoughtful work with dramatic moments contrasting with hints of sadness and reflection but ultimately optimism.
Dan Walker conducts The Oriana Chorale
The result was an evening of fine singing and an educating insight into the astounding range of music to be found in First Nation cultures. There were rousing, chanting works throbbing with life and joy, melodic works of great beauty, quietly dramatic works of sadness as well as surprising moments of cheeky humour.
Sally Walker
Stephen Leek’s “Great Southern Spirits” a fabulous soundscape of ancient Australia was the perfect finale for the program. Its vivid final section, “Uluru”, which conjured up images of thoughtless tourists on the sacred rock, brought Alice Eather’s plea for continuing dialogue full circle.
This review was first
published in the Canberra CityNews digital edition of 21 August 2022.
Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs and published in his blog 'Just Power Writing' at https://justpowerwriting.blogspot.com/.
Stars: Trevor Howard, Richard Attenborough
UK
1952
DVD
AKA 'Glory At Sea'.
In 1940, the Captain of an old Royal Navy destroyer struggles with his crew, as well as the Nazis.
Dramatised from a true wartime incident, this film has an excellent perfroamnce by Trevor Howard. Not much action formost of it and the shipboard lives of the men gets a bit tiresome after a while. The harbour attack at the end is quite good although the model work is surprisingly obvious.
Written and directed by Dylan Van Den Berg
Produced by Belco
Arts
Belco Arts Theatre to
27 August
Reviewed by Len Power
19 August 2022
Commissioned by Belco Arts to write a new play about water -
First Nations connection to water, human connection to water - writer/director,
Dylan Van Den Berg, has produced a highly anticipated new play, ‘Ngadjung’
(Water), after his much celebrated play, ‘Milk’ in 2021.
This environmental drama, set in a dried up, desolate and bleak Ngunnawal Country of the future, brings two unlikely women together. There is no natural water in the world. Only a synthetic liquid sold by an all-powerful giant company is available to quench thirst.
The older woman, Flick, is digging in a dried up river bed. The younger woman, Cass, is running from something in the city. Thrown together in an uneasy relationship, they find it necessary to get along when a search for Cass by the all-powerful company threatens their existence.
This nightmare world of warning for our environmental future is a framework for the real focus of the story – the relationship between the two women. Cass, from the city, is young, intelligent and has always relied on computers to guide her life. Flick is from the land and knows its history and hidden resources. The difference between the two women is heard in Cass’s exclamation, ‘I don’t want to look, I want to know’.
Lisa Maza and Kylah Day
Kylah Day and Lisa Maza
The strengths in Van Den Berg’s writing are his development of characters and his ear for natural dialogue. Both elements are successfully employed in this play but there was no in-depth exploration of the cultural attitudes to water and the environment that the play seemed to promise at the beginning.
The story unfolding between these women was intriguing until the threatening helicopters arrived and the dystopian thriller aspect of the story was revealed. It then followed a well-trodden Hollywood formula (Mad Max was probably just over that hill!) There was even the obligatory twist in the story at the end affecting the logic of much that had gone before.
Photos by Andrew Sikorski.
Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs.
Stars: Jude Hill, Judi Dench
2021
UK
Viewed on Foxtel
A young boy and his working-class Belfast family experience the tumultuous late 1960s.
Beautiful black and white photography with occasional colour sequences give this biographical story a sense of realism and period. Fine direction by Kenneth Branagh, whose childhood story it is, and good performances by the cast, especially Jude Hill as the young boy, Buddy, and Judi Dench in a small but telling role as his grandmother. Recommended.
“The Broadway
Musicals Yearbook” will be heard on Artsound FM 92.7 at 5pm on Sunday 21
August and repeated at 11pm on Monday 22 August. The show is produced and narrated by Len
Power, Canberra theatre critic, music critic and radio presenter.
This week – the musicals of 1983
In 1983, Jerry Herman’s musical, ‘La Cage Aux Folles’ burst onto Broadway and Twiggy starred in the Gershwin musical, ‘My One And Only’. Angela Lansbury brought Jerry Herman’s ‘Mame’ back to Broadway and in a revival of the musical, ‘Zorba’, Anthony Quinn sang and danced the role he made famous in the movie, ‘Zorba The Greek’. Other new musicals that opened in 1983 included ‘The Tap Dance Kid’, Doonesbury’, ‘Merlin’, ‘Dance A Little Closer’ and ‘Baby’.
You’ll hear songs from all of these shows including: ‘The Best Of Times’ (from ‘La Cage Aux Folles’), ‘Boy Wanted’ (‘My One And Only’), ‘The Story Goes On’ (‘Baby’), ‘Tap Tap’ (‘The Tap Dance Kid’) and ‘Goodbye Canavaro’ (‘Zorba’).
Performers include: Angela Lansbury, George Hearn, Twiggy, Tommy Tune, Anthony Quinn, Alan Weekes and Lila Kedrova.
Listen Now: https://artsound.fm/shows/the-broadway-musicals-yearbook/
Stars Mickey Rooney, Dianne Foster
1954
USA
DVD
An upright car mechanic falls in love with the girlfriend of a gangster. This forces him to participate in the criminal underworld.
Great little film noir that should be better known. Suspenseful, with a good, plausible screenplay and an uncharacteristic and strong performance by Mickey Rooney. Recommended.
Written by Ruth
Pieloor
Directed by Ali
Clinch
Queanbeyan Performing
Arts Centre production
Q Theatre, Queanbeyan
to 20 August
Reviewed by Len Power
18 August 2022
Inspired by her own experience of dealing with her mother’s dementia, playwright Ruth Pieloor has used the magical resources of theatre to create a work of wistful intensity that is both enlightening and entertaining.
On a spare and very wide setting by Mel Davies, the drama of a woman’s journey with dementia plays out in a jigsaw puzzle of brief scenes that move back and forth in time from the early signs of the condition to the inevitable end. Along the way, the impact on family members is unflinchingly described, as is the inner world and reality of the sufferer herself.
Dementia carers know that the sufferer’s delusional reaction to the world around them can often be quite amusing and remembered with affection long after the sufferer has departed. This production shows these moments of uneasy comedy very well.
Chrissie Shaw as Maggie
Heidi Silberman plays Rachel, Maggie’s daughter and main carer. She also plays Maggie at earlier stages of her life. Silberman is especially impressive in the highly emotional scene involving the packing of her mother’s belongings to take her to the care home.
Carolyn Eccles, Heidi Silberman and Rachel Pengilly
The complex lighting design by Jacob Aquilina adds considerable atmosphere, as does the sound design by Damien Ashcroft. Fiona Leach’s costumes are colourfully apt for the clowning sequences and well-chosen for the reality parts of the play.
For everyone whose lives have been affected by the wide-reaching problems dementia causes, this play and its production will resonate strongly. For everyone else, who will likely be touched by dementia in some way in the future, it will give an insight and understanding into living with or caring for someone with this cruel condition.
Photos by Ben Appleton, Photox-Canberra Photography Services.
Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs and published in his blog 'Just Power Writing' at https://justpowerwriting.blogspot.com/.
Stars: Mala Powers, Tod Andrews
USA
1950
Blu-Ray
A young woman who has just become engaged has her life completely shattered when she is raped while on her way home from work.
Well-meaning film tackles the difficult issue of rape at a time that the Hollywood Production Code was in force. Uneven dramatically with some poor performances and a script that can't mention the word 'rape', make this an unsatisfying experience for modern audiences. It would most likely have worked better at the time of its release. Good direction by Ida Lupino, though, within the limitations already mentioned.
Stars: Tony Leung, Jane March
1992
France/UK
Streamed on Kanopy
In 1929 French Indochina, a French teenage girl embarks on a reckless and forbidden romance with a wealthy, older Chinese man, each knowing that knowledge of their affair will bring drastic consequences to each other.
Atmospheric period film takes its time microscopically detailing a scandalous love affair. Beautifully photographed with good performances and sumptuous production design. Tony Leung as the lover and Frederique Meiniger as the mother of the young girl are particularly memorable. Perfect narration by Jeanne Moreau. Ultimately quite moving, but, gosh, it is rather graphically sexy along the way.
 |
| Emily Granger in the Greenaway Studio |
Emily Granger, harp
Greenaway Studio,
Chapman
Sunday 14 August
Reviewed by Len Power
There’s something about harp music that is instantly
transporting. The instrument has always
added a beautiful sound to classical music works but it’s a different and
delightful experience to hear a solo harp played in an intimate setting.
At the Greenaway Studio, a full house was treated to a sublime afternoon of contemporary works for the harp played by the consummate artist, Emily Granger.
American-born and now Australian-based Granger has had a busy international career. Dedicated to expanding the repertoire for the harp, her concert, “In Transit”, featured contemporary harp music from Australia and the USA, reflecting her own multiple journeys from one continent to the other as she made the decision to reside in this country.
There were works by Australian composers including Ross Edwards, Tristan Coelho and Sally Greenaway as well as pieces by USA composers Libby Larsen, Laura Zaerr, Deborah Henson-Conant and others.
With themes of travel and isolation, serenity and solitude, the music painted colourful pictures that engaged the imagination. Each work was given interesting introductions by Granger. She won the audience over completely with her relaxed, warm and friendly manner.
It was a well-chosen program of works and choosing highlights afterwards was almost impossible. Everyone would have had their own personal favourites.
For this reviewer it was “The Nightingale” by Deborah Henson-Conant. Granger explained that this was one of the first pieces she heard as a young harpist, inspiring her to continue her studies. For listeners, its haunting, delicate and melodic qualities were magical. Amazingly, a ray of sunshine spot lit Granger through the window of the studio just as she was playing it.
A Little Night Emily Granger Music!
Other works that particularly impressed were Australians Tristan Coelho’s atmospheric “The Old School” and Sally Greenaway’s “Liena”. From the USA, Libby Larsen’s, “Theme and Deviations” and “River Right Rhumba” by Laura Zaerr were also memorable.
Watching Granger playing the harp in close-up in this intimate studio was an enthralling experience in itself. Being able to see her elegant finger technique on the strings clearly and her use of the foot pedals on the harp was fascinating.
A number of young children were seated on cushions on the floor directly in front of the performer. You could see that they were enthralled by the experience and their attention was held throughout the concert. Maybe Emily Granger inspired some harpists of the future as a result of this experience.
Photo and video by Len Power
This review was first published in the Canberra CityNews digital edition of 15 August 2022.
“The Broadway Musicals Yearbook” will be heard on Artsound FM 92.7 at 5pm on Sunday 14 August and repeated at 11pm on Monday 15 August. The show is produced and narrated by Len Power, Canberra theatre critic, music critic and radio presenter.
This week – the
musicals of 1937
In 1937, the team of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart
produced two shows for Broadway, ‘Babes in Arms’ and ‘I’d Rather Be
Right’. It was also the year of the
popular Union show ‘Pins And Needles’ and the controversial, ‘The Cradle Will
Rock’.
You’ll hear songs from all of these shows including: ‘My
Funny Valentine’ and ‘the Lady Is A Tramp’ (from ‘Babes in Arms’), ‘Nobody
Makes A Pass At Me’ (‘Pins and Needles’), ‘Have You Met Miss Jones’ (‘I’d
Rather Be Right’) and ‘Joe Worker’ (‘The Cradle Will Rock’).
Performers include: Kristen Chenoweth, Bing Crosby, Blossom
Dearie, Bobby Short, Barbra Streisand, Michael Feinstein, Micki Grant and Mary
Martin.
Listen Now: https://artsound.fm/shows/the-broadway-musicals-yearbook/
Directed by: Harry Watt
1959
UK
Viewed On GEM
An escaped prisoner in Sydney, trying to clear his name, holes up on Fort Denison (known as 'Pinchgut' in the convict era) in Sydney Harbour and threatens to blow up an ammunition ship moored nearby while bargaining with the authorities.
British film set in Australia is well-acted by the leads and the action is mostly well-staged. Unfortunately, the film shows its age with too many simplistic situations, especially in police and government procedures which strain credibility. Still, it's an enjoyable suspense thriller with the added bonus of scenes of 1958 Sydney Harbour and its surrounds.
Directed by: Leslie Arliss
UK
1944
DVD
After concert pianist Lissa Campbell learns that she has a serious heart problem. she vows to enjoy what time she has left. On taking her first holiday she meets Kit Firth, a pilot on leave whose vision has been impaired due to a bomb explosion while he was on active service.
Contrived plot is played with such conviction by the actors that it's enjoyable to go along with it in spite of feeling manipulated. Fine music score including the 'Cornish Concerto' that had a life in concert halls afterwards. Quite moving, if you're in the right mood for it. Everyone needs a good cry now and then!
Sweden
1950
Seen on Blu-Ray from the Criterion Collection box set 'Ingmar Bergman's Cinema'
Two violinists playing in the same orchestra fall in love and get married. Their up and down relationship is observed over the years.
This 1950 detailed study of a relationship is so real in its themes and approach, it feels quite modern. Excellent performances, strong, believable screenplay and incisive direction in this early Bergman film. The final moment is hauntingly memorable.
Directed by George Cukor
1947
DVD
A celebrated actor struggles to distinguish his own life from that of his most recent stage role, Othello.
Superb thriller with a great performance by Ronald Coleman, terrific script by Garson Kanin and Ruth Gordon and fine direction by George Cukor. Anyone interested in theatre willlove this. It captures the backstage world perfectly and delivers suspense chillingly as well. Highly recommended.
Australian Chamber
Orchestra
Richard Tognetti,
Creative Director
Nigel Jamieson, Film
& Staging Director
Jon Frank,
Cinematography
The Song Company
Llewellyn Hall, 6
August
Reviewed by Len Power
In “The Crowd & I”, Richard Tognetti and the Australian
Chamber Orchestra join forces with film maker and staging director, Nigel
Jamieson, and cinematographer, Jon Frank, to produce a performance of almost
overwhelming beauty and confronting intensity.
The world now has over 8 million people, twice as many as 60 years ago. When people gather in large crowds, the result in cinematic terms can appear to be swarm-like. Jon Sharp’s camera has captured extraordinary images from around the world of people coming together. Depicted are scenes of the Kumbh Mela festival on the banks of the River Ganges, the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, the mosh pits of Coachella, California, sporting stadiums, massive refugee camps, huge city activity and so on.
Not everything shown is beautiful. There are confronting scenes of mob violence, such as the Cronulla Race Riots, uncomfortably close to home, the desperation of the Boat People refugees and unsettling images of the vast impact of the Covid epidemic.
Richard Tognetti’s excellent choice of music to accompany these images includes works by Chopin, Beethoven, Shostakovitch, Ives, Sibelius, Schubert and several of his own works amongst the works of other modern day composers.
Led by Tognetti, the large number of musicians and the Song Company singers onstage, produce a remarkable sound – atmospheric, colourful and perfectly timed to the images unfolding on the large screen behind the performers.
Director, Nigel Jamieson, has created a superb and thoughtful film and music experience. A clever lighting design amongst and around the performers links them to the on-screen images, making this a complete stage and screen performance. Without this, the orchestra could have seemed to be just a soundtrack to a movie. The show has to be seen live for maximum effect.
One scene stands out strongly from the overwhelming huge number of images presented. A lone figure is walking in a vast Australian desert. In a long tracking shot, the camera follows his progress from behind and above. He eventually just disappears into and becomes part of the landscape. The crowd is the landcape itself and one person can be just an insignificant part of it.
The audience appeared to be quite mesmerised by this performance. Everyone was surprisingly still, totally focussed on the power of the sounds and images before them. Just as in the crowd scenes depicted on the screen, it was a memorable experience to be part of the dynamic of this large crowd in the auditorium.
This review was first
published in the Canberra CityNews digital edition of 7 August 2022.
Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs.
“The Broadway Musicals Yearbook” will be heard on Artsound FM 92.7 at 5pm on Sunday 7 August and repeated at 11pm on Monday 8 August. The show is produced and narrated by Len Power, Canberra theatre critic, music critic and radio presenter.
This week – the musicals of 1999
In 1999, with the show ‘Fosse’, Broadway paid homage to one of its greatest director-choreographers, Bob Fosse, and the movie, ‘Saturday Night Fever’, became a Broadway musical. Bernadette Peters returned to Broadway in a revival of Irving Berlin’s ‘Annie Get Your Gun’ and Audra McDonald starred in a new musical, ‘Marie Christine’.
You’ll hear songs from all of these shows including: ‘Mr. Bojangles’ (from ‘Fosse’), ‘I Will Love You’ (‘Marie Christine’), ‘Staying Alive’ (‘Saturday Night Fever’) and ‘Doin’ What Comes Natur’lly’ (‘Annie Get Your Gun’).
Performers include Bernadette Peters, Michael Rupert, Audra McDonald, Ben Vereen, Adam Garcia, Mary Testa, Kevin Sharp, Ann Hampton Callaway and Tom Wopat.
Listen Now: https://artsound.fm/shows/the-broadway-musicals-yearbook/
1957
Sweden
Seen on Blu-Ray from the Criterion Collection box set 'Ingmar Bergman's Cinema'
After living a life marked by coldness, an ageing professor is forced to confront the emptiness of his existence.
A film that ponders so many questions about life. It works its magic slowly and quietly and leaves you unsettled but curiously satisfied at the same time. Performances are excellent and it's beautifully photographed. An extraordinary achievement.
Directed by: Paolo Sorrentino
Country of origin: Italy
2021
Streamed by: Netflix
In 1980s Naples, young Fabietto pursues his love for football as family tragedy strikes, shaping his uncertain but promising future as a filmmaker.
Director, Paolo Sorrentino's autobiographical coming of age story in Naples in the 1980s is full of atmosphere. Reminiscent of Fellini's films, especially 'Amaracord' in the first half, quite moving in the second half. Great performances by a large cast and an especially fine performance by Fillippo Scotti as the boy, Fabietto. Beautifully filmed in and around Naples. the director was previously known for 'The Great Beauty', another excellent film.
Directed by Ingmar Bergman
1950
Sweden
Seen on Blu-Ray from the Criterion Collection box set 'Ingmar Bergman's Cinema'
A sailor returns to his hometown after 7 years and remembers the dark and the light moments of his past.
Second film written and directed by Ingmar Bergman shows his deep understanding of characters in crisis especially women. With its universal themes the film has not dated and is played at a pace modern audiences will find acceptable. It's quite compelling with fine performances. Beautifully restored on Blu-Ray disc. Recommended.
Conducted by Guy
Noble
Llewellyn Hall, 30
July
Reviewed by Len Power
After being postponed twice due to the Covid pandemic, the
“East Meets West” orchestral concert finally arrived at Llewellyn Hall. Presented to mark the 50th
anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and
Australia, it was a gala occasion with many of Canberra’s Chinese community in
attendance.
Conducted by Guy Noble, the concert presented two main works by Chinese composers, “Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto” and “The Yellow River Piano Concerto” as well as other shorter eastern and western works, some with solo singers.
The concert commenced with a nicely played “Jasmine Flowers” by Giacomo Puccini. It was followed by “Hope Betrayed” by composer Wang Liping with soprano, Ya Fen, and mezzo soprano, Victoria Lambourn. Jammy Huang joined the orchestra to play the Guzheng. This instrument gave the work a hauntingly timeless quality and contrasting singing styles of the soloists added beautifully to the overall effect.
Victoria Lambourn, mezzo soprano and Ya Fen, soprano
Amanda Chen, violin
The second half of the program commenced with a robust performance by the orchestra of Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet Suite No. 2. This was followed by two songs by soprano, Sharon Zhai, with ‘Ernani…Ernani, ivolami” from Verdi’s opera, “Ernani” and the contrasting “Pamir – My Beautiful Hometown” by composer, Zheng Qiufeng. The singer commanded the stage with her fabulous voice, singing both songs with great assurance and beauty.
Sharon Zhai, soprano
Tony Lee, piano and Guy Noble, conductor
An announcement at the start of the concert asking people not to use their phones might have prevented the constant photographing with phones throughout.
Photos supplied by
the production
This review was first
published in the Canberra CityNews digital edition of 31 July 2022.
Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs and published in his blog 'Just Power Writing' at https://justpowerwriting.blogspot.com/.