The Chosen Vessel by Dylan Van Den Berg at The Street Theatre, Canberra, August 12 – 16, 2025.
Reviewed by Frank McKone
Opening Night August 12
Director: Abbie-lee Lewis
Set Designer: Angie Matsinos
Costume Designer: Leah Ridley
Lighting Designer: Nathan Sciberras
Sound Designer: Kyle Sheedy
Photos: Canberra Streets, Helen Fletcher
Cast
WOMAN and GHOST– Laila Thaker
SWAGMAN, HUSBAND, YOUNG MAN, HORSEMAN,
BARMAN, TRAVELLERS and PRIEST – Craig Alexander
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Dylan Van Den Berg’s The Chosen Vessel is a work of poetic theatre. Words have meanings beyond the immediate in a setting of half-seen images in light and sound, creating a world full of emotional power. The writer’s imagination appears as if real in this wonderful yet disturbing production.
When reading a good poem, one’s imagination and feelings respond to the words, reaching an aha moment as you find yourself coming to an understanding in the last line. In the theatre, our imaginations are enhanced by the stimulating work in the set design, lighting, sound and costumes, as well as, of course, in the directing and skills of the two actors in movement, facial expression and voice.
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| Laila Thaker, Craig Alexander in The Chosen Vessel by Dylan Van Den Berg The Street Theatre, Canberra 2025 Photos: Helen Fletcher |
This excellent production in the small Street Two space becomes a total poem. That last line is “If the dead can see, why can’t you?”
Then you understand what it means to describe this work as "Aboriginal Gothic Horror", and realise the nature of the truth about the European cultural invasion of Aboriginal Land – in practical terms:
Baby cries.
GHOST hangs a string of shells around baby’s neck.
GHOST disappears.
Sounds of the river:
Blackout.
THE END
Australia’s iconic publisher of our theatre – Currency Press – have made the script available with the program. I suggest, though, that you see the play as I did without preconceptions. Then reading The Chosen Vessel by Palawa man Dylan Van Den Berg, “after the short story by Barbara Baynton” will take you through the experience again that only live theatre can give you, and keep it as a living memory and understanding forever.
Frank McKone's reviews are also accessible at www.frankmckone2.blogspot.com