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The Gate Theatre’s ‘Strange Snow’ – an encore staging
Elena Edwards
The Gate Theatre Group proudly presents an encore staging of Stephen
Metcalfe’s beautifully told, timely story of love, loss, healing and hope,
Strange Snow. Under the direction of Stephan Turner, Strange Snow features
performances by Robert Young, Peter Mushenko and Veronica Guarino.
 A
scene from ‘Strange Snow’ with David and Martha.
Strange snow falls on two young Vietnam veterans as they reunite for a
fishing trip to make good on a long lost promise to an old friend.
It’s dawn on Opening Day and Megs shows up at his buddy David’s house only
to encounter David’s shy, plain sister Martha. Megs’ larger-than-life nature
coaxes Martha out of her shell and into his heart. His mere presence,
however, brings up painful memories of Vietnam for David, whose method of
coping so far has been to drink too much and talk as little as possible.
As a result of the play’s success during its first run, the Gate Theatre
Group has decided to stage four encore performances, beginning on April 3.
The show will run Fridays and Saturdays through April 11, at the Studio
Theatre, 7th floor, Kad Suan Kaew shopping mall. Doors open at 7 p.m. with
curtain at 7:30 p.m.
Suggested donation 300 baht. For more information, please email
thegatetheater @asia.com or visit the Gate Theatre Group’s website at
www.gate-theater.com
Fugues and Foot-tapping: Kritsana Chitpreecha on Saxophone
Jai-Pee
Saturday night, March 7, at the Saisuree Hall at Payap University
provided a really good-sized audience with some very polished saxophone
playing from Kritsana, the almost 23-year-old student giving his first
recital. With undaunted confidence, this smart young man strolled on to the
stage and announced each item in his wide and interesting repertoire before
setting off on various excursions into the realms of Russian, German, South
American and USA jazz music. He played with gusto in his first piece,
Glazunov’s Concerto in E flat and was delightfully accompanied on the
electone by his friend Gamp. She gave him superb support as he played its
opening movement in a rich, mellow manner so befitting this lyrical piece.
The highlight came later in the final movement when Kritsana performed the
scampering arpeggios and trills with brilliance, mastery and polish. In his
second piece, Moussorgsky’s Old Castle from Pictures at an
Exhibition, he was accompanied by the wonderfully delicate and carefully
balanced playing of David Wilson. Here, the music entered a mysterious and
often gloomy world, nicely captured by the mournful sounds of the saxophone
and the soulful tones of the left hand on the piano. Ending with a more
modern piece, Fantasia by Heitor Villa-Lobos, Kritsana gave us a
deeply emotional interpretation of the central section, allowing the melody
to float rapturously at times; then we were plunged into the depths of
strident rhythms so typical of this composer, and so well captured by the
saxophonist.
After a short intermission, our young performer was joined by three fellow
saxophonists, Yim, O and Tae, in a great little quartet playing Bach’s
Little Fugue in G minor with finesse and understanding and
more than a hint of drama. How good they sounded together in this well known
classic. Then came the foot-tappin’ to the melodies of Fats Waller, Scott
Joplin and Theolonious Monk. Here the quartet really enjoyed itself
immensely and this was echoed by great applause and cheers from the
appreciative audience. Ain’t Misbehavin’ came across with the kind of
cheekiness this famous song merits while Blue Monk allowed some fine
solo performances which were very warmly received. The helpful and
well-written program notes, the relaxed atmosphere, the wonderful playing
and the smooth presentation by Kritsana all contributed to a fine evening of
delightful entertainment.
Australian jazz fusion band comes, plays and conquers
The Australian jazz fusion band, Logic,
during one of their performances at Moxie’s Restaurant.
Michael Davies
The Australian jazz ensemble, Logic, visited Chiang Mai from March
6-9, performing at the dusitD2 hotel and also completing a workshop at Payap
University. The band were invited to tour by the Australian Embassy under
its Cultural Relations Programme, which promotes Australia through its art
and culture, mainly in Bangkok but now extending to Chiang Mai.
Representative Piyarat Suksiri explained that Logic are a great reflection
of both Australia and its music, with their infectious energy and new and
different style.
The band was formed way back in 1999 by Glenn Cannon (guitar) and Tim
Wilson, (saxophone) with Ben Vanderwal (drums) joining 3 years ago and Dane
Anderson (bass) just recently. Their music is a mixture of styles – jazz,
new wave, pop rock and folk. Glenn told the Chiang Mai Mail he was
influenced by UK jazz fusion musician Alan Holdsworth. Tom’s inspirations
are Wayne Krantz, John Coltrane and Dave Binney. Dane elected Jaco Pastorrus
as his original influence, and Ben’s first teacher, the New Zealander Frank
Gibson, provided the focus for his style.
Prior to this tour, Logic had released three albums—a self-titled debut
album in 2002, ‘The Waiting Game’ 2004 and ‘Native Stut’ in 2008. On various
occasion, they had been invited to back and record with several ‘greats’ on
their visits to Australia, including Hugh Jackman, Ray Charles and Olivia
Newton John. They have also performed at major festivals such as the Java
Jazz Festival, the Mosaic Music Festival in Singapore and the Melbourne
International Festival of Jazz.
CM Mail columnist Mark Whitman was at the first performance by the
quartet, held at Moxie’s, and reports that a large and enthusiastic group of
diners enjoyed the spirited playing by the quartet, responding with
enthusiastic applause to the extended sets. Although the setting seemed
slightly restricted for a quartet, the idea was certainly something that
could be repeated, as live music is always a welcome addition to a meal.
Whilst in Chiang Mai, the band also gave a workshop at Payap for 2nd year
students and their teachers, with Glenn explaining that workshops are a
great way to meet people and share the music. It’s to be hoped that Logic
visit Chiang Mai again. For this visit, they came, they played, and they
certainly conquered!
‘Art and Ideas’
at Suriya Gallery
Elena Edwards
The ‘Art and Ideas’ series of talks continues at Suriya Gallery on
Sunday March 29 with a visual presentation by Jacqueline Suter entitled,
‘Hide and Seek: Social Commentary in Contemporary Burmese Art.’ Successive
governments in Burma have controlled public expression through systematic
censorship, with paintings included in the restrictions. Any works deemed to
disturb the ‘tranquillity’ or ‘security’ of the state are banned from public
display or export. Works of art depicting explicit sexuality are also banned
from public viewing. With overt social comment forbidden, artists find more
subtle ways to express their thinking. The presentation will provide a
unique glimpse into the ways in which artists manage to express their
interpretations of their society in spite of these restrictions. Rare works
not seen in public before the talk will be on show.
As usual with the Suriya Gallery talks, 10% of any art sales during the
evening, and 20% of any other sales will be donated to Cultural Canvas, a
local organisation which provide art therapy experiences for the children of
migrants in Chiang Mai. Guests can also choose to donate to a fund which
finances medical care for people with serious health problems who cross the
border into Thailand. For more information on this, please visit homepage.
mac.com/inkish/Pansodan/AnipoAppeal.ppt.htm.
Come to Suriya at 6 p.m. to look around; the talk begins at 6.30 p.m. Suriya
Gallery is located on Soi Bua Lang (the same soi as Holiday Garden Hotel),
off Huey Kaew Road. Look for the spray-paint Suriya Art Gallery sign at the
soi entrance, park in Nice Nails car park, and walk through the gate to no.
2. For further info, please call on 053-221-969, or email on
[email protected]
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