As you enter the Studio space at the Sydney Opera House your senses immediately switch on. There is a smokiness to the room that makes everything slightly soft around the edges and amidst the hum of people finding their seats, the sound of crickets and nocturnal wildlife can be heard. The scene is set for Mungangga Garlagula (Yarning by the Fire).
A collaboration between musicians Mark Atkins and Erkki Veltheim, the performance combines storytelling with music and sound. Atkins masterfully plays three different didgeridoos, each with their own unique tone, accompanied by Veltheim on violin and piano, and supported by a pre-recorded soundscape of recorder (Genevieve Lacey), percussion (Vanessa Tomlinson), guitar (Stephen Magnusson), trumpet (Scott Tinkler), piano and analogue synthesizers (Anthony Pateras).
Atkins, a descendant of Western Australia’s Yamatji people, as well as of Irish/Australian heritage, delivers an engaging performance. A renowned didgeridoo player, his skills and ability were on full display. The unusual juxtaposition between the traditional sounds of the didgeridoo and the more classical music created by Finnish-Australian composer and performer Veltheim generated a beautiful meeting of cultures.
The staging (Emily Barrie) and lighting design (Niklas Pajanti) were incredibly effective, creating an intimate and authentic campfire setting. However, there was potentially too much smoke – it’s meant to resemble a campfire, not a bushfire. And while the lighting pulled focus toward Atkins, it would have been useful to be able to see how Veltheim was creating the accompanying music, instead of being shrouded in darkness.
While the combination of engaging storytelling and ambient music was fantastic, there were elements of how the sound was broadcast that just missed the mark. Some of Atkins yarns were difficult to understand and at times appeared to be competing for dominance with the soundscape. And because the audience could not properly see Veltheim, it was difficult to distinguish when he was playing an instrument or creating a sound and when we were hearing the pre-recorded audio.
The yarns told by Atkins were both humorous and mythical. Stories of Country told on Country, exhibiting a deep connection and spiritual awareness.
There is clearly so much depth and emotion in Mungangga Garlagula. The remarkable skill of both Atkins and Veltheim work so beautifully together to create a memorable sensory experience.
THREE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Mungangga Garlagula will perform at the Sydney Opera House until 27 June 2026.
For more information and to purchase tickets head to the Sydney Opera House website.
Reviewer attended on 26 June 2026.
Header image credit: Kristian Gerhradte
