" From the depths of my heart...thank you...it is an immense priviledge to have experienced this evening...I appreciate the insight into the journey of death and in that, you've given me insight into life"

Audience member (May 25, 2007) A&I Hall, Bangalow, NSW

"Exquisite..."

Gerard Brophy (Composer)

 

"... the work is a searing and startling series of meditations and illuminations on the Tibetan Book of the Dead. It also signifies the creation of a new ensemble called Trikaya, comprising Michael Askill, Riley Lee, James Coates and the extraordinary Tibetan musician Tenzin Choegyal, now based in Brisbane.

" Spread languorously yet unfalteringly over an uninterrupted 100 minutes, this austere creation advances an Australian ritual theatre, combining improvised music, minimalist presentation and meditation."

Vincent Plush (The Australian - 16 April 2004)

 

"Evocative and haunting - an exquisite rendering of one of the most important spiritual tracts of our time to the stage. If the Dalai Lama could speak with a Shakespearean accent and play music, this is what it would sound like."

David Leser (Writer/Journalist)

 

"The Tibetan Book of the Dead isn't an easy read. With the best intentions you might never get round to it. Trikaya's electrifying rendition of these extraordinary instructions for life, death and beyond is a precious and timely spiritual service - taking you apart, giving your soul a great shaking, then reassembling you with infinite compassion."

Lilith Rochas (Columnist)

 

"I can't thank you enough for sending me "... in the between". It is one of the most wonderful experiences! It's not only elucidating of the complex Book of the Dead - a performance-instruction - but an enthralling, moving and sometimes thrilling vessel. I think Tibetan Buddhism in so many ways gets it right ...and I think the way this performance captures the ferocity and illusion of the projections is marvellous. Plus, the benevolence of space - space being a blessing; compassion being a wise tool to help one out of karma... all so clear. I'm left with an image of love folding out from the heart. I love the way that at times the sound of the bowls corresponds so well with the images of light; as if their sounds are pure light. The architecture of the piece is beautiful, visually and aurally and it's thrilling to hear Tenzin's voice, full of matter and movement away from matter, yearning and the movement away from yearning. James's voice as narrator is beautiful too - full of gorgeously compassionate intention."

Zsuzsi Soboslay (Arts writer and Bodyworker)

 

Dear Trikaya

I am writing to congratulate and to thank you and the Trikaya ensemble for your extraordinary presentation and theatrical interpretation of the Tibetan Book of the Dead,"in the Between".

I thank you with a sense of gratitude on the personal level as a practicing Buddhist, as well as a avid lover of theatre.

I also wish to say to you that the performance also had another aspect of awareness raising for me. I work in the field of palliative care in the Tweed Shire as a trainer of palliative support volunteer carers. An important part of being an effective support volunteer is to have an understanding of the different cultural views that human beings have about death and the dying process.

To be invited to listen to the teaching within the Tibetan Book of the Dead in the way that Trikaya presented it makes it very accessible to people previously unfamiliar with the text.

The evocation that the music and singing carried, enveloped me and most of the audience and held us spellbound.

I hope you will continue to perform this presentation as next time I will bring our team of volunteers. It is an excellent educational resource as a personal "death awareness exercise" as well as having a cultural and religious dimension for any one interested in living and dying consciously.

Thanks again,
A Camidge (Tweed Shire Palliative Care)