Mirror Magazine

Mirror Magazine

The story of two princes
The Prince of Egypt staged by St. Joseph's College at the Lionel Wendt last week, was an impressive performance. The actors, the soundtrack, the sets and the dedication of those backstage all contributed to make it a wonderful experience. All this was due to director Jehan Aloysius's innovative take on the storyline. He had done a lot with a limited, or in some ways unlimited, storyline. Most of the drama of the story of Moses was squeezed into around two hours of tense viewing pleasure (not counting the late beginning, and the rather long interval).

The opening scene was poignant and promised much. The plight of the slaves was portrayed powerfully; both the actors and the soundtrack helped to create the feeling of pathos. The scene in which the baby Moses is set afloat on the river was one of the play's most memorable. Juanita Beling's performance was haunting and conveyed the tragic element so powerfully. Little Miriam, intentionally or unintentionally, added to the sense of desolation and hopelessness. Whether she was overwhelmed by the lights and the audience, or by her character, she was the epitome of bewilderment.

Most of the actors took their roles very seriously. Moses and Rameses brought out the tragedy of the brothers, once united but later divided by their faith. Moses played the role of the tragic Hero quite convincingly. But it was the brooding Rameses, with power and the weight of ruling an empire thrust upon him at a young age who was the most appealing and memorable. He is the tragic figure who remained in your mind at the end of the play.

The female roles, with the exception of Beling and both the young and the older Miriam, lacked understanding. Where the male (and main?) roles were delved into deeply by the individual actors, the other female roles, admittedly minor roles, were not as effective. The high priests were good; Perfect casting by the director and gleeful performances on the part of the two actors. Both comedy and tragedy could so easily be overdone. Thankfully most of the characters were just right. The supporting cast did truly support the whole play. Especially the little ones, who all appeared so vulnerable, entertaining or simply mischievous as the occasion demanded.

The settings were definitely painstakingly constructed and had a great impact on the overall ambience. How the chariot races were enacted so superbly on such a small stage to create such a great impact was truly marvellous. The river of cloth, with actors making the waves, was an appropriate twist. That concept was one of several novel aspects of the play. The 'dance' (?) of the angels of death was gripping, vivid and, again, powerful.

Watching the Prince of Egypt I felt I was witnessing a team effort. Everyone involved must surely have given it a lot of thought, work and effort. Well done the English Literary Association of St. Joseph's College.
-Nirmalie

Singing the blues
Glen Terry is one of those rare musicians who believes music is a great healer, provider and a helper of many causes.

"It has helped sustain me but nowadays I am into music for a cause. I love what I am doing and I have many people and their cultures to thank for, for the inspiration that I have got in playing music for charity," the blues guitarist said, sitting in his comfortable home in Colombo.

He may not be among the top blues musicians in the world but Terry is an infectious artiste and a likable one drawing his audiences with pumped up performances and a passion that lets his guitar do most of the talking while rolling out a string of blues standards and some original songs.

Apart from being a musician working mostly for charities for the underprivileged, the 42-year-old is also a house dad, taking care of a 12-year-old son from birth. "I have done the nappy round; I make his breakfast and check his homework among other housework," said Terry, whose wife is a diplomat attached to the Australian High Commission in Colombo.

"I am a lucky guy - in a way. There isn't much pressure on me to make money from music because my wife works. I play because I love it and most of all do it for causes."

Arriving in Sri Lanka six months ago and planning to be here for about three years, Terry's first major performance in Colombo is a concert at the Barefoot Gallery this evening, Sunday, February 23 at 6 p.m. Backed by Sri Lankan veterans - Alston Joachim on bass, Harsha Makalanda on piano/keyboards and Aruna Siriwardene on drums - along with Robin Loochie as special guest, Terry would virtually be singing the blues at this charity concert in aid of the Deaf and Blind School at Ratmalana.

He plans to perform mostly jazz stuff, occasionally improvising with some blues ... and going by a sterling garden performance (while being interviewed) on a guitar without an amplifier, it's a performance a jazz or blues connoisseur cannot afford to miss.

The Colombo performance is also a reminder of a charity concert in Mauritius some years back when - together with local bands - he raised money for the purchase of Braille equipment.

Born in Mysore to Anglo-Indian parents, Terry left India as a 16-year-old, started off as a commercial musician before concentrating on blues. He has fronted some of the best acts in the business and played in Egypt, Syria, Mauritius, Kenya, Japan (travelling with his wife and their son on postings) and of course Australia where he is based.

He enthusiastically talks about the stint in Mauritius giving one the impression that he has been inspired a lot by this country and its musicians, particularly Eric Triton, a legend there.

"I was amazed by the man and inspired a lot by him. Once while we were playing in a street corner, Eric's guitar string broke. Without much ado, he walked across to a chicken coop, broke a wire, fitted it to the guitar and continued playing without fuss. There was no change in the music; such was Eric's brilliance."

Local musicians in the countries that Terry has lived in, provide the inspiration for his work. "These are the guys who inspire me not the big guys in the business," he said adding that Alston, Harsha and Aruna are world-class musicians and rank among the best anywhere. "I am honoured to play with them. Even in Australia, they would be at the top."

Andy Thompson, an Australian saxophonist who has performed along with bands like Dire Straits, Elton John, Joe Cocker, Ray Parker Jnr., Oliver Newton John, Chuck Berry and Meatloaf, is another musician who inspires Terry. The duo would be playing together at Clancy's from March 13 when Thompson (accompanied by John Hill on piano and Cora James on vocals) arrives on a working holiday.

Terry, through his music, has raised money for the poor in Kenya by sponsoring wells; for babies with AIDS, street kids, the hungry and the homeless. In Kenya, Terry and Thompson raised money for an orphanage.

"I believe in sustainable charities. We need to give people hope. Water is hope and sustainable. That is something I love working on." During a May 2000 performance in Tokyo, Terry and his band raised US $100,000 for charities run by the YMCA. His performance this evening is sponsored by Clancy's, the Barefoot Gallery and Corona Extra.

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