Top of the pile
The upcoming 13th Cammies proudly carries a back- to- basics theme.
THE performing arts world is abuzz once again with the annual Boh Cameronian Arts Awards just around the corner.
The list of nominees were announced on Monday during the 13th Boh Cameronian Art Awards 2016 Nominees Party in Kuala Lumpur, which was attended by the media and the arts community.
Popularly known as the Cammies, the awards series is organised by arts portal Kakiseni.
This year’s Cammies, which will take place on at D’Saji, Tasik Titiwangsa in Kuala Lumpur on April 24, sees 48 awards for the taking.
The awards are presented in for main categories – dance, music, musical theatre and theatre.
The Technical Awards and the Junior Cammies will take place at Makespace, Quill City Mall in KL on April 11.
Known for its themed awards nights such as the roaring 1920s, pop comic and the 1980s, the Cammies this year embodies the theme “Yesterday For Tomorrow”, signalling a return to simpler, less complicated times for the arts. The emphasis is on homegrown and storytelling.
It also pays tribute to three traditional art forms – bangsawan, wayang kulit and mak yong.
Low Ngai Yuen, Kakiseni’s president, believes it’s about time for conversations about tradition, culture and history.
“The idea behind the theme is about making what’s traditional relevant again for tomorrow, especially for the younger generation. This is so that they are a part of it instead of just looking at it as part of their history book, which shouldn’t be the case to begin with,” says Low.
The acclaimed director and producer, who took over Kakiseni in 2009, points out that the Cammies this year is not about celebration alone but “it’s also about action.” So who will be making the news this year?
Becoming King ... The Pakyung Revisited is the most nominated show in the dance category, picking up five nominations ( best group performance, best choreographer in a feature length work, best lighting design, best set design, best costume design, and styling and make up).
Becoming King ... The Pakyung Revisited,
which played in KL last December, was chore- ographed by Joseph Gonzales and presented by Aswara Dance Company. In the music category, pianist Tay Cher Siang bagged 12 nominations in various categories, becoming the single most nominated individual at the upcoming Cammies. As an odds- on headliner, Tay is a good bet. He picked up four nominations each under the best solo performance – instrumental and best original composition. Another stand- out show in the music category is the orchestral epic Symphonic Swing, which garnered seven nominations, including best group performance – vocal and best musical director/ conductor.
New production Sand The Musical and the restaging of Pan Productions’ saucy Cabaret are strong contenders in the musical theatre category, vying for the best choreographer, best performance by an ensemble, best direction, best musical direction, best performance in a leading role and best costume design, styling and make- up awards.
In the theatre sweepstakes, stalwarts like Joe Hasham and Datuk Faridah Merican – who are also husband and wife – are nominated for best actor in a leading role category for their performance in Reservations and
Three Doors respectively. Both plays featured Sisa- Sisa. Sisa- Sisa, directed by Mark Beau De Silva and presented by The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat, also picked up nominations for best actor in a supporting role, best director, best original script and best lighting design.
The 13th Boh Cameronian Arts Awards will be held at D’Saji, Tasik Titiwangsa in Kuala Lumpur on April 24. For more details and a full list of nominees, visit: kakiseni. com.