The scars of battle
Between The Lines is a poignant musical commemorating the Armistice of 1918, which ended World War I.
In 1918, the Armistice of november 11 brought peace to the continent of Europe. This truce agreement, signed between Britain, France and Germany, was designed to end the fighting of the World War I (19141918). Sadly, history shows that this did not come true. The Armistice, however, is still a reminder of how war should be avoided at all cost.
This november, it will be 100 years since the guns of World War I fell silent. There will be no shortage of events to commemorate this historic day.
In Kuala Lumpur, the British Academy of Performing Arts is starting early by presenting Between The Lines, a musical revue based on the effects of war. It is the first show in the Poppies Art Series, an arts festival that will run thoughout 2018 to commemorate the centenary of the Armistice.
The show plays at the British International School of Kuala Lumpur in Petaling Jaya starting May 31.
Between The Lines revolves around The Soldier (Dennis Yeap) who suffers from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Also featured are The Mother (Tria Aziz), The Lover (Melissa Ong), The Comrade (Kai Chalmers), and The Shadow (Joshua Gui).
“The story mainly revolves around The Soldier, and how war changed him, his relationships and his perception of the world,” says director Michelle Tan Hui Sze in her directorial debut.
“I really cannot give too much else away without spoiling it but there are some poignant moments in there that would make people sit up and think; why do we make war in the first place?”
“Playing The Soldier has been incredibly rewarding as an actor but also challenging, physically and emotionally due to the intensity of the subject matter. Personally, I know I must give an honest performance, every time I inhabit The Soldier. Or maybe The Soldier inhabits me! Because war is not a subject to be taken for granted,” says Yeap, who plays The Soldier.
“This piece was originally conceptualised as a heartfelt dedication to soldiers around the world and those who have paved the way for us to have peace today. So there is that weight of making sure that whatever I bring to this role is done with great respect to them.”
As a musical, Between The Lines, featuring a cast of 20, will carry a selection of songs from musicals such as Do You Hear The People Sing from Les Miserables, Movie In My Mind from Miss Saigon, Corner Of The Sky from Pippin, 21 Guns from American Idiot as well as timeless classics such as
Boogie Woogie
Bugle Boy and
Those Were
The Days.
The show will also be supported by a 10-piece band, adding live music to the performance.
Tan reveals the show includes a battle scene which she says “gave her goosebumps”.
The script also contains several Easter eggs, or subtle story hints, which the viewers can keep a look out for. While the show’s tone is dramatic and poignant, Tan adds there will be a few comedic twists in the story.
“War is a serious subject and we do wish to honour those who have fought in it and fallen, but we have injected some light-hearted elements into the show. At the end The Soldier still is a human being and damaged as he is by his wartime experiences, he was once a normal person,” says Tan.
The Poppies Art Series gets its name from the poppy, a flower known to have grown on soldier’s graves, and is now used as a symbol of remembrance. This fact has been immortalised in Canadian physician LieutenantColonel John McRae’s famous poem In Flanders Fields.
The festival aims to use the mediums of music, drama and dance to explore themes connected to war. The Poppies Art Series, presented by the British Academy of Performing Arts, will run from May to november 2018, ending with the first Malaysian Festival of Remembrance on nov 10-11. All profits will be donated to Malaysian Armed Forces veterans charities. Between The Lines is on at the British International School of Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Changkat Bukit Utama, Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya in Selangor from May 31-June 3. Showtimes are 8.30pm (May 31-June 2) and 3pm on June 3. There is an extra 3pm show on June 2. Tickets range between RM35 and RM125. More information, visit: www.ticketpro.com. my. FB: Poppies’ Arts Series.