(l-r) Kate Neal, Karen Berger, David Adamson and Jeannie Van de Velde. Photo - Sarah Blard The Teapot Ensemble of Australia, aka TEA, was born in a moment of silliness, when four accomplished musicians took up teapots and played “I’m a little teapot short and stout” through their spouts. This humble tune was used to conclude their single show at the Spiegeltent in this years’ MIAF.
The one-hour show has evolved from these inauspicious beginnings to span the musical spectrum from Telemann to Beethoven, from jazz to original songs, from opera to nursery rhymes. All this is achieved by four players each holding a teapot in one hand, singing or vocalising through the spout, and using the other hand across the open pot to create vibrato or sound effects. The result is a complex web of harmonies and rhythms, not to mention clearly recognisable concertos and popular tunes.
This performance sits strangely between a gimmick and a recital. Obviously the teapot does not have the acoustic properties of the violin or even the human voice. When Jeannie van de Welde (Soprano Teapot) uses her operatic voice independently of the teapot, it is a relief to hear a richer timbre in the melody, with the other teapots used as a sympathetic and whimsical backing. And although I was willing to go along with the novelty of teapots playing chamber music, I could feel many of the audience members fidgeting around me.
The opening of the concert was fun, with the three girls kneeling down at a table of teapots and starting to play them. Then the musicianship of the players kicks in and the mood becomes more sombre. Of course it is hard to underline the musical jokes with your mouth around a teapot spout, but it has to be done! Their dedication to the obviously tricky and demanding art of teapot playing is admirable. However, a little less chamber music might have been more entertaining for an audience that was here for the novelty as much as the music.
The performances were interspersed with readings about tea from David Adamson (Baritone Teapot). The texts were well chosen: Bertrand Russell puts forward a philosophical hypothesis on a teapot orbiting the sun; a character from PG Wodehouse’s Jeeves complains “But I haven’t had my tea yet” – an early morning sentiment I can relate to closely. Adamson’s delivery was good, but he lacked the stage presence that this role demanded and paused too long before launching into each monologue.
In contrast guest whistler Paddy Cronin from the Spaghetti Western Orchestra took charge of the stage and raised the mood by several degrees with a funny yet moving rendition of Lara’s Theme from Dr Zhivago. This was exactly what was needed to make this show a success – a personality that could lead the group and involve the audience, and a way to dazzle with virtuosity at the same time as make you laugh.
Tea-lovers will be charmed by the assortment of pots onstage, from the tiny to the gross, and the fetching display of them that constitutes part of the percussion set played by the other guest artist Arwen Johnston. Unfortunately Johnston and the Teapots did not always keep in time with each other. Maybe Johnston had a problem hearing them from her position upstage.
The Teapot Ensemble, completed by Karen Berger (Alto Teapot/Composer) and Kate Neal (Tenor Teapot/Blockfloetist), has a unique sound and a quirky appeal. If these fine players can step out of the diffidence and modesty of classical players and take on the role of entertainers, they will be a great success.
Melbourne International Arts Festival presents
Teapot Ensemble of Australia
Venue: The Famous Spiegeltent | The Arts Centre|
Dates: Monday, 22 October 2007
Times: 7pm
Duration: 1 hour, no interval
Tickets: $22.50 - $30
Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 136 166 | www.melbournefestival.com.au