"THE JULES VERNE PROJECT"
UNDERGROUND IN CAREY’S CAVE 7th FEBRUARY 2009
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James Gibson |
What the audience said.....
Photo Karen Mewes |
From the bowels of the Earth wafted the plaintive songs of forsaken lovers, cries of
wonderment from intrepid explorers, and the curses of a drunken sea captain -
accompanied by the haunting beauty of cello and flute, the tinkling melodies of piano,
guitar, and mandolin, and the lively fiddling of sea shanties.
The splendid galleries of Carey’s Cave, Wee Jasper provided the perfect setting for
James Gibson’s adaptation of Jules Verne’s Journey to the Centre of the Earth - a sound
and light medley of contemporary, classical, and folk music commemorating the birthday
of the famous writer. The event, staged by Crystal Clear Concerts and the brainchild of
Geoff Kell, doyen of Carey’s Cave and folk music aficionado, was the highlight of this
year’s Wee Jasper Naturally weekend.
Listen to an excerpt from Lakme
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The privileged audience of seventy was treated to an escape from the soaring
temperatures above to a welcome 16 deg C in the limestone chambers.
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There we accompanied the Professor
and his nephew, Axel, from Denmark
to Reykjavik in the dubious care of
drunken sea captain (Geoff Kell,
mandolin and curses) on their perilous
journey to explore the interior of the
Earth through a system of volcanos.
The merry fiddling of young folk musicians
Amelia Gibson and Gareth Mewes
added spice and fitting accompaniment
to the lurchings of the sea captain |
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| Gareth Mewes | Amelia Gibson |
Listen to an excerpt from the Captain's Tale
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The candle-lit interior of the cave, illuminated stalactites and stalagmites, and
the measured tones of the narrator (James Gibson) created an inspiring
atmosphere for lead singers Nicole Murphy and Judy Stubbs from the cabaret
group Funkier than Alice.
Listen to an excerpt from Hallelujah
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Judy Stubbs
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Nicole Murphy
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Nicole’s sonorous laments at her separation from her lover, Axel,
counterbalanced by the ebullient support of Judy (song, piano, and infectious
enthusiasm) still linger in my memory. A most engaging episode was when the
performers disappeared into a far passage, leaving the audience in darkness
with occasional catches of song and the flicker of candlelight as they emerged
from a different passage. Masterful.
Listen to an excerpt from Donna Nobis
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Rita Woolhouse (cello and classical guitar) provided calming continuity
to the yearnings and searchings of the other performers and the
safe return of the adventurers.
Listen to an excerpt from Man of Colours
The clearly expressed delight of both audience and performers demonstrated
better than anything the success of the production.
Listen to an excerpt from Dance Me To the End of Love (Encore)
We hope for more!
Reviewed by Charles Barton
Oakey Creek, 12 Feb 2009
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Rita Woolhouse |
.....and what the musicians said......
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Thanks for inspiring us to create the Jules Verne Project. Initially, we had
no idea where the opportunity to move in the space and exploit the cave’s
physicality and acoustics would lead. To our delight we found that different
locations could create the sense of a cathedral, or a ship at sea, a place
of wonder or a place of deadly peril, and all with acoustics to match.
Performing with candlelight and the occasional cave light made for an
intimate and personal concert.
This was special. As musicians, we are used to being on stage, but having a
story and being able to physically tell it as we journeyed was different.
The audience were very generous and certainly shared our enjoyment. We have
talked amongst ourselves and would love to do it again some time. |
Thank you to the performers and audience for a great experience!
Thanks to George Serras for his fantastic photos!
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