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.