JON CHEW

ACTOR/WRITER LONDON

What are you currently working on over in London? I’m on the West End! I’m in The King and I, playing Prince Chulalongkorn, heir to the throne of the King of Siam, played by Ken Watanabe. Our Anna is played by Kelli O’Hara, a Broadway musical theatre legend. Some Malaysians will remember the recent movie version that starred Chow Yun Fatt and Jodie Foster, and many local thespians. We opened towards the end of June, and the feedback has been mega encouraging so far!

Which projects would you say that you have done in the past that you are personally proud of, ones which even the people back in Malaysia can be proud of? Well, The King and I definitely took a measure of sacrifice and hard work along the way, so I’m proud to have been cast in it. That being said, I’m personally proud of so many projects done in Malaysia in the theatrical arena, from the play I did in February called The Bee, to our staging of Angels in America a few years ago, to shows like Klue, Doh! and Cock... all showcased the immense talent of Malaysian actors, directors and theatremakers, something I’m even more convinced of as I venture outside our shores.

It was the dawn of a new era for Malaysia during the General Elections back in May. How did things change for you where you are, especially a er hearing the news?

It made me miss home more. It made me want to return to experience the joy, see the faces, witness the celebration of those who worked so hard to make this happen. Then, it made me focus back on this season of learning, so that I can do whatever part I can in helping with the progress of our nation when I do return to Malaysia Baru.

What do you miss most about Malaysia while overseas? Oh, where do I even begin? Food. Family. Food. Friends. Food. The theatre scene. Cendol. Driving to Penang. Indomee goreng at a mamak at midnight. Open houses during celebrations. Curry puffs. All the different races, different faces in our midst... and banana leaf rice.

What are your personal hopes and dreams for the “New Malaysia” in the coming days, months, or even years? That we would have the patience to not lose hope, even as we work out what Malaysia Baru looks like, and could be like. That the changes we see could also extend to the arts scene, in terms of building an infrastructure that could sustain artistes from all spheres, and one that could encourage more local, original works of all kinds to flourish. When we see more stories about Malaysia Baru reflected in our arts, I think it’ll be a sign that we’re heading in a good direction.

"IT MADE ME MISS HOME MORE. IT MADE ME WANT TO RETURN TO EXPERIENCE THE JOY, SEE THE FACES, WITNESS THE CELEBRATION OF THOSE WHO WORKED SO HARD TO

MAKE THIS HAPPEN"